uneducated

[ uhn-ej-oo-key-tid, -ed-yoo- ]

adjective

1. not educated.

   Synonyms: uncultivated, uninformed, unenlightened, uninstructed, untaught, unschooled, untutored

uneducated

/ ʌnˈɛdjʊˌkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. not having been educated to a good standard

   poor uneducated people

Word History and Origins

Origin of uneducated¹

First recorded in 1580–90; un- ¹ + educated

Synonym Study

See ignorant.

Example Sentences

The refugees Babb met at the camps were not all poor, uneducated “Okies,” and the people she introduces us to in her novel are varied and real.

From Salon

Working class people are frequently portrayed as lazy, uneducated, or unsophisticated, but we also have a long history of recognizing their hard work, savvy, and perseverance.

From Salon

“Dissatisfied that Mr. Montañez — a poor, uneducated Mexican plant worker and janitor — had successfully developed a new product, Frito-Lay’s R&D personnel completely shut out Mr. Montañez from the development process,” the lawsuit says.

From Los Angeles Times

“Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ.”

From Seattle Times

“Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst. Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ,” the website said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ignorant
• illiterate
• unschooled