KNOW NOTHING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does know nothing mean? 

• KNOW NOTHING (noun)
  The noun KNOW NOTHING has 1 sense:

1. an ignorant person

  Familiarity information: KNOW NOTHING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KNOW NOTHING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An ignorant person

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

ignoramus; know nothing; uneducated person

Hypernyms ("know nothing" is a kind of...):

unskilled person (a person who lacks technical training)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "know nothing"):

aliterate; aliterate person (a person who can read but is disinclined to derive information from literary sources)

illiterate; illiterate person; nonreader (a person unable to read)

 Context examples 

It would be much better in every respect that Eleanor should know nothing of the matter.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The huntsman replied: “Lord, I will venture it at my own risk, of fear I know nothing.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The Scarecrow looked at her reproachfully, and answered: My life has been so short that I really know nothing whatever. I was only made day before yesterday.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

I know nothing myself save what I have read or heard.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

You know nothing and you care less, as people say.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Keesh looked up and smiled. Nay, O Klosh-Kwan. It is not for a boy to know aught of witches, and of witches I know nothing.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I see you know nothing of the matter.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

I know nothing of the sort.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

You forget that I know nothing about it.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Inquiries have shown that his Ministers know nothing of the matter.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)