Ignorant vs Stupid
What’s the difference between them?
Ignorant
Meaning:
Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
Examples:
1. She was ignorant of the historical facts, as she had never studied that period in depth.
2. His ignorant comments about the subject revealed his lack of understanding.
3. It's essential to educate ourselves to avoid remaining ignorant about important global issues.
Stupid
Meaning:
having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.
Examples:
1. It was a stupid mistake to leave the car keys inside the locked vehicle.
2. Making such a decision without proper consideration would be downright stupid.
3. Despite his intelligence, his impulsive actions often made him appear stupid in critical situations.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Ignorant
1. Uninformed
2. Illiterate
3. Uneducated
4. Unaware
5. Clueless
1. Knowledgeable
2. Enlightened
3. Well-informed
4. Erudite
5. Aware
Stupid
1. Idiotic
2. Ignorant
3. Brainless
4. Dim-witted
5. Asinine
1. Intelligent
2. Bright
3. Wise
4. Savvy
5. Quick-witted
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Ignorant", "Stupid".
1. Ignorant implies a lack of knowledge or awareness, while 'stupid' implies a lack of intelligence or common sense.
2. Ignorant can indicate a lack of education or sophistication, while 'stupid' implies foolishness or foolish behavior.
3. Remember that 'ignorant' is related to knowledge, while 'stupid' is related to intelligence.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should 'ignorant' be used?
Ignorant should typically be used to describe someone’s lack of knowledge or awareness about a specific subject. It is not meant to be used in a derogatory or insulting fashion, but rather to indicate that someone is uninformed about a particular topic.
When is the appropriate context for using 'stupid'?
Stupid should only be used to describe someone’s lack of intelligence or common sense. It is not meant to be used pejoratively, but rather to indicate that someone may be lacking in a certain area of knowledge or wisdom.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. Ignorant is pronounced /ˈɪg.nɚ.ənt/, while stupid is pronounced /ˈstuː.pɪd/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people often make is using ignorant and stupid interchangeably, when in fact they have different meanings. Ignorant should be used to describe someone’s lack of knowledge or awareness, while stupid should be used to describe someone’s lack of intelligence or common sense. Additionally, ignorant and stupid should never be used as insults.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She made a very _________ remark about the situation, showing her lack of understanding.
2. He was so _________ that he didnt even know his own age.
3. The students _________ answer revealed that he had not studied for the exam.
4. His _________ comment earned him a scolding from his teacher.
5. The crowd laughed at her ____ question, further highlighting her lack of knowledge.
6. His _________ response made it clear he doesnt understand the things happening.
1. She made a very ignorant remark about the situation, showing her lack of understanding.
Explanation: Ignorant means lacking knowledge or awareness in general and is the correct word to use in this context as the sentence states that the remark showed a lack of understanding.
2. He was so stupid that he didnt even know his own age.
Explanation: Stupid means lacking intelligence or common sense and is the appropriate word to use in this sentence as it implies that he exhibited a lack of intelligence by not knowing his own age.
3. The students ignorant answer revealed that he had not studied for the exam.
Explanation: Ignorant means lacking knowledge or awareness in general and is the correct word to use in this context as the sentence implies that the students lack of knowledge was due to a lack of preparation.
4. His ingorant comment earned him a scolding from his teacher.
Explanation: Ignorant means lacking knowledge and is the appropriate word to use in this sentence as it implies that the comment was made due to a lack of knowledge.
5. The crowd laughed at her ignorant question, further highlighting her lack of knowledge.
Explanation: Ignorant means lacking knowledge or awareness in general and is the correct word to use in this context as it implies that the crowds laughter was due to the questioners lack of knowledge.
6. His stupid response made it clear he doesnt understand the things happening.
Explanation: Stupid means lacking intelligence or common sense and is the appropriate word to use in this sentence as it implies that the response was made due to a lack of intelligence or common sense.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.