clueless
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of clueless
Explanation
Someone is clueless if they have no idea what's happening. The unsuspecting victim of a practical joke is usually clueless right up until everyone starts laughing. You could reassure your brother that your mom has no idea you're planning a surprise party by saying, "Don't worry, she's totally clueless." Or you might worry that your friend failed the big geometry test, based on the clueless expression on his face during the exam. In the 1860s, clueless meant "leaving no clues behind," but by 1943 it gained its current meaning, which became even more popular as student slang in the 1980s.
Vocabulary lists containing clueless
"Two Left Feet, Two Left Hands, and Too Left on the Bench"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sorkin must have adored that earlier film’s opening scene where Rooney Mara insults a clueless Jesse Eisenberg because he’s written three-dozen takes on it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
It also apparently has some weird all-knowing knowledge, because it warns its clueless mom about all the evil characters conspiring to abort the baby.
From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2026
Yardeni: Yes, absolutely, though I have never been a gold bug and am honestly clueless when it comes to valuing something with no coupon or dividend.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
How could the clueless become clued if their peers weren’t picking on their every lame move?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
There’s a brief mention of Kamal, his arrest and release, and a statement from Detective Inspector Gaskill, saying that they are “pursuing a number of leads,” which I imagine means they are clueless.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
