uninformed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'uninformed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has not received the correct information about a subject or situation. For example: The uninformed voter was unaware of the candidate's stance on important issues.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did I ask you to sell my story for an action kit to make uninformed college students feel good?

The Guardian

Your sincere but uninformed Facebook pal, who truly just wants to understand why it's not #AllLivesMatter or which pronoun to use for Caitlyn Jenner is the social media equivalent of the friend who wanders in halfway through the movie and says: Who's that?

The Guardian - Opinion

She feels that the mainstream media is uninformed when reporting on gang culture and youth violence.

The Guardian

At some point, they forget that it's possible that they could be uninformed on any issue that interests them and they assume any obstacles encountered are the fault of people who have failed to keep up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because though I check it four times an hour, I am still essentially an uninformed doofus.

The Guardian

The response I receive from many uninformed people when I reveal that I went to university in Sheffield ranges from surprise and polite mumbling about steel to a not remotely concealed it's-grim-up-north face, along with a confused "why?" Well, those who have been a student in Sheffield, or indeed have visited the city for a significant amount of time, will know the answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But though the arguments over fracking in the Fylde will continue to rage, large numbers of people remain either uninterested or uninformed.

The Guardian

His next stop will be the White House.(Photo credit: DON EMMERT / AFP Editor's note: The second sentence of this blog post was changed on September 29th to make clear that The Economist does not consider Mr Modi to be a "pain in the ass"; that epithet is merely how we imagined an uninformed New Yorker might feel about someone who causes a traffic jam.

The Economist

His health is the subject of intense if uninformed speculation.

The Economist

The VA's programme for getting disabled veterans into jobs, for example, fell short of its goals last year, in part due to "uninformed leadership and administrative barriers" that "reduced effectiveness".

The Economist

But I think it's worth pointing out that relying on a body that is generally disdained and answerable to an uninformed and often misinformed public seems like the worst way to go about fixing a complicated problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "uninformed", ensure you clarify the specific area or topic about which someone lacks knowledge to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "uninformed" as a blanket statement about someone's intelligence. Instead, focus on specific gaps in their knowledge related to the subject at hand.

Linguistic Context

The word "uninformed" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun, indicating that the noun lacks knowledge or information on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correctly used adjective in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "uninformed" is an adjective used to describe a state of lacking knowledge on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is valid and usable in various contexts. With a "Very common" frequency across diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it serves the purpose of conveying a lack of awareness or understanding. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to specify the area of knowledge deficit to avoid overgeneralization. Synonyms like "lacking awareness" or "ignorant" offer alternative phrasing, but "uninformed" remains a direct and widely accepted way to express a lack of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignorant

Implies a broader state of lacking knowledge or education.

not knowledgeable

Emphasizes a deficit in acquired information or expertise.

lacking awareness

Focuses on the absence of conscious knowledge.

without insight

Highlights the absence of deep understanding or perspective.

misinformed

Suggests possessing incorrect information, rather than a complete lack of it.

uneducated

Focuses on a lack of formal schooling or learning.

not up to speed

Indicates a lack of current knowledge or understanding on a particular topic.

clueless

Indicates a complete lack of understanding, often in an informal context.

in the dark

Similar to "out of the loop", emphasizing a lack of access to information.

out of the loop

Suggests being unaware of current events or relevant information.

FAQs

How can I use "uninformed" in a sentence?

You can use "uninformed" to describe someone who lacks knowledge about a particular subject. For example, "The "uninformed voter" was unaware of the candidate's platform."

What is a more formal synonym for "uninformed"?

A more formal alternative to "uninformed" is "lacking awareness", which suggests a lack of knowledge or understanding in a more professional context.

How does "uninformed" differ from "misinformed"?

"Uninformed" means lacking knowledge, while "misinformed" means having incorrect or misleading information. One is a lack of knowledge, the other is possession of false knowledge.

When is it appropriate to describe someone as "uninformed"?

It's appropriate to describe someone as "uninformed" when they demonstrably lack knowledge on a specific topic, but be mindful of using the term respectfully and avoiding generalizations about their overall intelligence or competence.