ignoramus

[ig-nuh-rey-muhs, -ram-uhs]

noun

plural

ignoramuses 

1. an extremely ignorant person.

   Synonyms: simpleton, know-nothing, dunce, fool

ignoramus

/ ˌɪɡnəˈreɪməs /

noun

1. an ignorant person; fool

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignoramus¹

1570–80; < Latin ignōrāmus we ignore (1st person plural present indicative of ignōrāre to be ignorant of, ignore ); hence name of an ignorant lawyer in the play Ignoramus (1615) by the English playwright G. Ruggle, whence current sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignoramus¹

C16: from legal Latin, literally: we have no knowledge of, from Latin ignōrāre to be ignorant of; see _ignore ; modern usage originated from the use of Ignoramus as the name of an unlettered lawyer in a play by G. Ruggle, 17th-century English dramatist

Example Sentences

She asked whether Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger was an “ignoramus” after he said actors’ demands were not realistic.

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Unlike his boss in the Oval Office, Vance is neither a dimwit nor an ignoramus.

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Conor McGregor's presidential campaign is likely to end before it begins, but not because he’s an ignoramus and a liar and a misogynist.

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Trump's juice with these guys has always been that he is a proud ignoramus, a man who speaks loudly with great confidence, despite knowing nothing and having no interest in learning.

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It's a difficult discussion, because progressives are already constantly badgered by right-wing accusations that they're an "elite" who "looks down" at Trump voters as ignoramuses.

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