Uneducated: meaning, definitions and examples

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uneducated

[ˌʌnˈɛdʒʊˌkeɪtɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

lack of formal education

Not having received a formal education or lacking knowledge in a particular subject.

Synonyms

ignorant, illiterate, uninformed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uneducated	This word is appropriate for describing someone who has not had formal education. It does not inherently carry a negative connotation and focuses on lack of schooling. She grew up in a rural area and remains largely uneducated. Being uneducated, he had to work in manual labor roles.
ignorant	This word is often used to describe someone who lacks knowledge or awareness in a specific area. It can have a negative connotation, implying a deliberate lack of effort to learn. He made an ignorant comment about the issue, demonstrating his lack of understanding. She was ignorant of the local customs, which led to some awkward situations.
uninformed	Use this word to describe someone who does not have the necessary information about a particular topic. It lacks the negative overtones of 'ignorant' and is more neutral. The public was largely uninformed about the upcoming changes in policy. I was uninformed about the risks involved in the investment.
illiterate	This term is used specifically to indicate someone who cannot read or write. It clearly points to a lack of basic literacy skills. Many adults in the area are illiterate due to the scarcity of schools. She volunteered to teach illiterate adults how to read.

Examples of usage

He was often criticized for his uneducated opinions on politics.
Her uneducated background did not prevent her from pursuing her dreams.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

lacking cultural refinement

Not possessing cultural or intellectual refinement.

Synonyms

crude, uncultured, unrefined.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uneducated	Refers to someone who has not received formal education or lacks certain levels of schooling. It is neutral and often used in discussing access to education or the necessity of educational reforms. Many children in remote areas remain uneducated due to lack of schools. He felt uneducated compared to his colleagues with university degrees.
uncultured	Used to describe someone who has not been exposed to the arts, literature, or other aspects of cultivated life. This word can carry a mildly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of sophistication or appreciation for higher cultural norms. He was criticized as uncultured because he showed no interest in classical music or art. Despite his wealth, he remained uncultured and uninterested in high society events.
crude	Describes a person who is rough in manners or speech, often lacking politeness or social norms. This term has a negative connotation and implies an absence of refinement or sophistication. Her jokes were considered crude and offended many people. The crude behavior of the guests ruined the formal dinner party.
unrefined	Indicates a lack of polish, sophistication, or gentleness in manners, taste, or appearance. It may imply that someone or something is raw, basic, or coarse. His unrefined taste in art puzzled his highbrow friends. The unrefined manners of the newcomer were quickly noticed by everyone at the gala.

Examples of usage

The uneducated behavior of the guests shocked the host.
His uneducated taste in art was evident from his collection.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word combines 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'educated', which comes from the Latin word 'educare', meaning 'to bring up' or 'to rear'.
Usage of 'uneducated' dates back to the early 19th century, capturing a sense of lack of formal schooling.
The prefix 'un-' is a common element in English, used to create words that denote negation.

Social Science

Uneducated individuals may have limited job opportunities, impacting economic mobility and overall well-being.
Education levels are strongly correlated with civic engagement; uneducated people often have lower participation in elections and community activities.
The stigma of being uneducated can affect a person’s self-esteem and how others perceive them.

Psychology

Cognitive biases can occur in uneducated individuals due to a lack of exposure to diverse viewpoints.
Uneducated people may rely more on intuition rather than analytical thinking, which can lead to misunderstandings or misconceptions.
Educational background influences critical thinking skills; uneducated individuals may face challenges in evaluating information validity.

History

Historically, access to education has been a privilege of the wealthy, leaving many uneducated, especially in earlier centuries.
In some cultures, uneducated women faced severe limitations, unable to partake in societal roles outside the household.
The establishment of public education systems in the 19th century aimed to reduce the number of uneducated individuals in society.

Literature

Many literary works highlight the theme of education versus ignorance, showcasing uneducated characters often facing societal challenges.
Classic characters like Huckleberry Finn reflect on societal norms and the consequences of being uneducated in a flawed world.
Dystopian novels frequently depict uneducated societies falling prey to manipulation and control by those in power.

Translations

Translations of the word "uneducated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não educado

🇮🇳 अशिक्षित

🇩🇪 ungebildet

🇮🇩 tidak berpendidikan

🇺🇦 недосвідчений

🇵🇱 niewykształcony

🇯🇵 無教育

🇫🇷 non éduqué

🇪🇸 no educado

🇹🇷 eğitimsiz

🇰🇷 교육을 받지 못한

🇸🇦 غير متعلم

🇨🇿 nevzdělaný

🇸🇰 nevzdelaný

🇨🇳 未受教育

🇸🇮 neizobražen

🇮🇸 ómenntaður

🇰🇿 білімсіз

🇬🇪 განათლების არმქონე

🇦🇿 təhsilsiz

🇲🇽 no educado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,821, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16818 primeval
16819 redesign
16820 metering
16821 uneducated
16822 chuck
16823 tyres
16824 stench
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