noun
ignoramus
ig-nuh-RAY-mus/ˌɪɡnəˈreɪməs/
An ignorant or foolish person.
Calling a beginner an ignoramus does nothing to help the beginner learn.
Etymology
The Latin verb appears here as “we do not know,” once a jury's response to insufficient evidence. Its use for an ignorant person came from the ignorant lawyer named Ignoramus in a satirical play.
In context
The man, woman, or child who had not seen his posters, or heard his name, was counted an ignoramus unworthy of intercourse with human beings.
More examples
- The pompous character dismissed everyone else as an ignoramus.
- He felt like an ignoramus when the technical discussion began.
- The satire exposes the supposed expert as an ignoramus.
Forms
ignoramus · ignoramuses