utterly ignorant

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly ignorant" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize a complete lack of knowledge or awareness about a subject. Example: "He was utterly ignorant of the consequences of his actions." Alternative expressions include "completely unaware" and "totally uninformed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

She is seventeen and utterly ignorant of sex.

The New Yorker

In this, they are utterly ignorant of China's history and the nature of modern China.

The New York Times

As for the rest, I was utterly ignorant: what did teenagers care about in 1959?

The Guardian - Books

There he finds pedants obsessed with their own specialized areas of speculation and utterly ignorant of the rest of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The place did not seem so terrible after all, and it became clear that Mr Ma and his hosts were utterly ignorant of one another.

The Economist

You could be utterly ignorant of Lydia Davis's personal circumstances and still be pretty sure, on the evidence of the stories, that her parents died in the past ten years or so.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The rectitude of a critic who rejects the new is hardly different from the vanity of those who are utterly dismissive or ignorant of the past.

The New Yorker

Many Asian, African and Middle Eastern groups and organisations who are struggling against both state and non-state violence feel utterly betrayed by the deliberately ignorant and partial stands taken by organisations in the US and Britain which are supposed to represent human rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said those who knowingly took part in the illegal trade were "extremely ignorant, selfish and utterly wrong".

BBC

In June the Duke of Cambridge spoke out against the illegal trade in rhino horn, calling those who take part in it "ignorant, selfish and utterly wrong".

BBC

The Duke of Cambridge has given a rare interview to speak out about the scale of poaching currently taking place across Africa - calling those who knowingly take part "extremely ignorant, selfish and utterly wrong".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly ignorant" to emphasize a complete lack of knowledge or understanding, especially when criticizing or expressing strong disapproval.

Common error

While "utterly ignorant" effectively conveys strong disapproval of someone's lack of knowledge, overuse can make your writing sound overly harsh or biased. Consider milder alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly ignorant" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe the subject as possessing a complete lack of knowledge or understanding. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly ignorant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that describes a state of complete lack of knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's primarily found in news and media contexts, with some presence in academic and scientific writing. While it effectively conveys disapproval of someone's lack of knowledge, careful consideration is needed to avoid sounding overly harsh. Alternatives like "completely uninformed" or "entirely unaware" can be considered depending on the desired tone. It’s important to use "utterly ignorant" judiciously and ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely uninformed

Emphasizes the lack of information possessed.

Totally clueless

Highlights a complete lack of awareness or understanding.

Entirely unaware

Focuses on the absence of awareness about a particular subject.

Profoundly unknowledgeable

Emphasizes a deep lack of knowledge.

Blissfully ignorant

Implies ignorance that leads to happiness or lack of worry.

Pathetically unaware

Highlights a sad or contemptible lack of awareness.

Woefully ill-informed

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the information possessed.

Strikingly oblivious

Focuses on the remarkable lack of awareness.

Singularly uninformed

Suggests an exceptional lack of information.

Supremely naive

Highlights innocence and lack of experience in a particular context.

FAQs

What does "utterly ignorant" mean?

The phrase "utterly ignorant" means completely lacking knowledge or awareness about something. It emphasizes a profound state of ignorance.

How to use "utterly ignorant" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly ignorant" to describe someone's lack of knowledge. For example: "He was "utterly ignorant" of the local customs."

What can I say instead of "utterly ignorant"?

You can use alternatives like "completely uninformed", "totally clueless", or "entirely unaware" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "utterly ignorant" or "completely ignorant"?

"Utterly ignorant" and "completely ignorant" are very similar. "Utterly" adds a slightly stronger emphasis than "completely".