ill-informed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ill-informed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe people who are not well-informed about a particular topic, issue, or situation. For example, "The candidate gave an ill-informed speech about foreign policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"He's very, very ill-informed.

The Guardian

Richardson was equally ill-informed in Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

This view was ill-informed, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's cheap, uneducated and ill-informed.

The Guardian - Sport

I was also naïve and ill-informed.

The Guardian

Young voters are selfish, ill-informed slackers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some ill informed comment today.

Independent

"They are sometimes selfish, self-centered, ill informed and irreverent...

The New York Times - Books

Any speculation on compensation is therefore ill informed".

The New York Times

'They were ill informed.

The Guardian

How can voters be so ill informed?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill-informed", be specific about the area where the person lacks knowledge. For example, instead of saying "He is ill-informed", say "He is ill-informed about climate change".

Common error

While similar, "ill-informed" often suggests the person believes they have accurate information, even if it's wrong. "Uninformed" simply means they lack information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ill-informed" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as lacking adequate knowledge or understanding. Ludwig examples show it describing decisions, opinions, and people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill-informed" is a common adjective used to describe something or someone lacking sufficient knowledge or understanding, often leading to poor decisions or opinions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Its use spans across diverse contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, but also in encyclopedias and scientific publications. When aiming for precision, consider synonyms like "uninformed" or "poorly informed". A key distinction lies between "ill-informed" and "uninformed"; the former suggests a belief in having correct information, even if false, while the latter simply indicates a lack of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uninformed

Direct synonym, simply replacing "ill" with "un", indicating a lack of information.

poorly informed

Replaces "ill" with "poorly", emphasizing the inadequacy of the information.

misinformed

Implies that the person has incorrect information, rather than simply lacking it.

ignorant

Focuses on a general lack of knowledge or awareness, often implying a lack of education.

unenlightened

Suggests a lack of spiritual or intellectual insight.

out of touch

Indicates a lack of awareness of current events or trends.

naive

Implies a lack of experience or sophistication, leading to a lack of understanding.

clueless

Informal term indicating a complete lack of understanding.

lacking awareness

More descriptive, highlighting the absence of understanding.

in the dark

Idiomatic expression suggesting a lack of information about a specific situation.

FAQs

What does "ill-informed" mean?

"Ill-informed" means having or showing a lack of knowledge or information about something.

How can I use "ill-informed" in a sentence?

You can use "ill-informed" to describe someone's opinion or decision, like: "His "ill-informed opinion" led to a poor decision".

What's a good substitute for "ill-informed"?

Alternatives for "ill-informed" include "uninformed", "poorly informed", or "misinformed".

Is it better to say someone is "ill-informed" or "ignorant"?

"Ill-informed" is generally more polite than "ignorant". "Ignorant" can be offensive as it implies a general lack of intelligence, whereas "ill-informed" focuses on a lack of knowledge about a specific topic.