Uninformed: meaning, definitions and examples
🤷♂️
uninformed
[ˌʌnɪnˈfɔːrmd ]
Definition
lack of knowledge
Not having enough knowledge or information about a particular subject or situation. Being ignorant or unaware.
Synonyms
clueless, ignorant, ill-informed, unaware.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| uninformed |
Used when someone lacks knowledge or information about a particular subject or situation, often without any negative connotation.
|
| ignorant |
Used when someone lacks knowledge or awareness in general or about a particular thing. This term can have a negative connotation, suggesting that the person should have known better or is intentionally avoiding knowledge.
|
| unaware |
Used when someone is not conscious or mindful of something, generally without any negative connotation. It can imply a temporary or situational lack of awareness.
|
| ill-informed |
Used when someone has incorrect or insufficient information, often implying that they have received bad or misleading information. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.
|
| clueless |
Used to describe someone who is completely unaware or lacking understanding about something, often in a more casual or conversational manner. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative tone, implying a certain level of incompetence.
|
Examples of usage
- He made an uninformed decision without considering all the facts.
- Her uninformed opinions were based on rumors rather than facts.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin root 'informare', meaning 'to shape or form'.
- The prefix 'un-' means 'not', making 'uninformed' literally mean 'not shaped by information'.
- The term has been used since the early 19th century to describe a lack of knowledge.
Education
- Uninformed individuals may struggle to make decisions because they lack key information.
- Educational methods aim to reduce uninformed perspectives by promoting critical thinking and information literacy.
- A common goal in education is to turn uninformed people into informed citizens, especially in democratic societies.
Psychology
- Cognitive biases, like the Dunning-Kruger effect, can lead uninformed people to overestimate their own knowledge.
- Studies show that being uninformed can cause stress and anxiety, especially during important decision-making times.
- People tend to feel more confident about their opinions when they are uninformed than when they actually possess knowledge.
Pop Culture
- Reality TV often showcases uninformed characters making comically poor decisions.
- Social media has amplified the spread of misinformation, contributing to a rise in uninformed opinions on various topics.
- There are numerous satirical references in movies highlighting characters who are hilariously uninformed.
Politics
- Being uninformed can lead to poor voting choices, emphasizing the importance of informed citizenship.
- Politicians may exploit the uninformed electorate by using misleading information to gain support.
- Campaigns are often designed to educate voters and combat the influence of uninformed decisions on election outcomes.
Translations
Translations of the word "uninformed" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desinformado
🇮🇳 अवगत नहीं
🇩🇪 uninformiert
🇮🇩 tidak diberitahu
🇺🇦 непоінформований
🇵🇱 niepoinformowany
🇯🇵 知らされていない
🇫🇷 non informé
🇪🇸 desinformado
🇹🇷 bilgisiz
🇰🇷 정보를 받지 못한
🇸🇦 غير مطلع
🇨🇿 neinformovaný
🇸🇰 neinformovaný
🇨🇳 未被告知
🇸🇮 neobveščen
🇮🇸 óupplýstur
🇰🇿 хабарсыз
🇬🇪 უცხო
🇦🇿 məlumatsız
🇲🇽 desinformado