Dictionary

know-nothing en · ADJ

Etymology

Essentially deverbal in nature, albeit not from a unitary phrasal verb. Compare do-nothing § Etymology.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Ignorant; characterized by foolish denial of facts or beliefs in that which is not true.
   • All over the world, know-nothing xenophobes are claiming – without evidence – that climate science is rigged. 2017 February 20, Paul Mason, “Climate scepticism is a far-right badge of honour – even in sweltering Australia”, in the Guardian:

know-nothing en · NOUN

Etymology

Essentially deverbal in nature, albeit not from a unitary phrasal verb. Compare do-nothing § Etymology.

Meanings

1. An ignorant person; one who lacks knowledge.

Forms

Coordinates

sciolist

Deriveds

know-nothingness

Synonyms

ignoramus