know-it-all

[ noh-it-awl ]

/ ˈnoʊ ɪtˌɔl /

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See synonyms for know-it-all on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

adjective

of or characteristic of a know-it-all.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of know-it-all

First recorded in 1930–35

Words nearby know-it-all

know enough to come in out of the rain, know from Adam, know-how, know if one is coming or going, knowing, know-it-all, knowledge, knowledgeable, knowledge-based system, knowledge economy, knowledge engineering

How to use know-it-all in a sentence

He made an easy target, the know-it-all liberal egghead who demeaned the wisdom of the American people.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On her own path, though, the “relationship know-it-all” is embracing her own, different natural progression.
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In her Twitter profile bio, writer Liz Tuccillo calls herself a “relationship know-it-all.”
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Franklin was a printer, scientist, revolutionary, ambassador and all around know-it-all.
The Struggles of Benjamin Franklin’s Sister Jane|Annette Gordon-Reed|November 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He was kind of a know-it-all, talked with a lot of authority on different subjects.
Whitey Bulger’s Women: Inside the Terror and Glamour of His Ex-Girlfriends|T.J. English|June 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Lewis was one of these stuck-up, know-it-all johnnies, not long breeched.
Two on the Trail|Hulbert Footner
"I've a good mind not to tell you, Mr. Know-it-all," exclaimed Johnny Chuck.
The Adventures of Reddy Fox|Thornton W. Burgess
None of the new girls appeared to be inclined toward a “know-it-all” attitude, for which Jane was grateful.
Jane Stewardess of the Air Lines|Ruthe S. Wheeler
They couldn't fool me with their slick off-the-cuff ready-made know-it-all responses!
The Capgras Shift|Sam Vaknin
"She is—and she's just what you need," said Sue, with that know-it-all smile of hers.
The Harbor|Ernest Poole

Other Idioms and Phrases with know-it-all

know it all

see know all the answers.