Dictionary
know–nothing
noun know–noth·ing \ˈnō-ˌnə-thiŋ\
: a person who lacks intelligence or knowledge : a stupid or ignorant person
Full Definition of KNOW-NOTHING
2
capitalized K&N : a member of a 19th century secret American political organization hostile to the political influence of recent immigrants and Roman Catholics
— know–nothing adjective
See know–nothing defined for English-language learners
See know-nothing defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of KNOW-NOTHING
1827
Related to KNOW-NOTHING
- Synonyms
- airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll (or clodpole), clot [British], cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (or cuddie) [British dialect], deadhead, dim bulb [slang], dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus [slang], dope, dork [slang], dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, loggerhead [chiefly dialect], loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome [archaic], moron, mug [chiefly British], mutt, natural, nimrod [slang], nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull (or numbskull), oaf, pinhead, prat [British], ratbag [chiefly Australian], saphead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schnook [slang], simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: know–nothingismPrevious Word in the Dictionary: knownAll Words Near: know-nothing
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up know-nothing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).