Ignorant vs. Idiot — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
Ignorant implies lack of knowledge; idiot denotes an inability to learn or understand.
Difference Between Ignorant and Idiot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ignorant refers to a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness about a particular subject or many subjects. On the other hand, idiot historically referred to someone with a very low level of intelligence or someone who has significant difficulty learning or understanding concepts that the average person would find manageable.
Education and exposure to new information can remedy ignorance, but the term idiot, especially in its modern colloquial use, often unjustly labels individuals without considering their unique abilities or knowledge in different areas.
Ignorance denotes a lack of knowledge that can be addressed through learning, whereas idiot is a pejorative term used to criticize a person's perceived intellectual capacity or decisions. It's important to approach discussions of knowledge and understanding with sensitivity and awareness of these distinctions.
Ignorance can exist in any person regardless of their intellectual capabilities—it simply means there is something they do not know. Conversely, calling someone an idiot typically attacks their intellect or decision-making process.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Lack of knowledge or awareness
Historically, very low intelligence; now often means foolishness
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Remediability
Can be remedied with education
Term is pejorative and not indicative of actual learning ability
Context
Specific to certain information or subjects
Often used to judge overall intelligence or decision-making
Implication
Not necessarily negative, can be temporary
Generally derogatory, implying poor judgment
Use in Dialogue
"He was ignorant of the law."
"Calling someone an idiot is disrespectful."
Compare with Definitions
Ignorant
Can be specific.
Being ignorant in a particular subject doesn't mean you're not intelligent.
Idiot
Pejorative term.
Calling someone an idiot for making a mistake is unfair.
Ignorant
Lack of knowledge.
She was ignorant of the basic rules of the game.
Idiot
Not related to learning ability.
Being called an idiot doesn't actually reflect someone's capacity to understand complex concepts.
Ignorant
Remediable state.
He moved from being ignorant to informed through research.
Idiot
Historical meaning of low intelligence.
The term idiot once had a specific clinical definition.
Ignorant
Uninformed.
The tourists were ignorant about local customs.
Idiot
Lack of understanding.
Using idiot as an insult is a sign of disrespect.
Ignorant
Not inherently negative.
Admitting you're ignorant on a topic is the first step to learning.
Idiot
Modern usage.
The word idiot is often used to express frustration with someone's actions.
Ignorant
Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated
He was told constantly that he was ignorant and stupid
Idiot
An idiot, in modern use, is a stupid or foolish person. 'Idiot' was formerly a technical term in legal and psychiatric contexts for some kinds of profound intellectual disability where the mental age is two years or less, and the person cannot guard themself against common physical dangers.
Ignorant
Discourteous or rude
This ignorant, pin-brained receptionist
Idiot
A stupid person.
Ignorant
Angry or quick-tempered
She could be very ignorant and he had no intention of getting involved in an argument just now
I had to walk out before I got ignorant
Idiot
A person who is considered foolish or stupid.
Ignorant
Lacking education or knowledge.
Idiot
A person with profound intellectual disability having a mental age below three years and generally unable to learn connected speech or guard against common dangers. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive.
Ignorant
Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge
An ignorant mistake.
Idiot
(pejorative) A person of low general intelligence.
Ignorant
Unaware or uninformed
Was ignorant of the drug's harmful effects.
Idiot
(pejorative) A person who makes stupid decisions; a fool.
We think that people who cycle without a helmet are idiots.
Ignorant
Unknowledgeable or uneducated; characterized by ignorance.
Idiot
A person of the lowest intellectual standing, a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal four-year-old; a person with an IQ below 30.
Ignorant
Not knowing (a fact or facts), unaware (of something).
Idiot
(uncommon) idiotic, stupid
Ignorant
(slang) Ill-mannered, crude.
His manner was at best off-hand, at worst totally ignorant.
Idiot
A man in private station, as distinguished from one holding a public office.
St. Austin affirmed that the plain places of Scripture are sufficient to all laics, and all idiots or private persons.
Ignorant
(obsolete) unknown; undiscovered
Idiot
An unlearned, ignorant, or simple person, as distinguished from the educated; an ignoramus.
Christ was received of idiots, of the vulgar people, and of the simpler sort, while he was rejected, despised, and persecuted even to death by the high priests, lawyers, scribes, doctors, and rabbis.
Ignorant
Resulting from ignorance; foolish; silly.
Idiot
A fool; a simpleton; - a term of reproach.
Weenest thou make an idiot of our dame?
Ignorant
One who is ignorant.
Idiot
A person of subnormal intelligence
Ignorant
Destitute of knowledge; uninstructed or uninformed; untaught; unenlightened.
He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides.
Ignorant
Unacquainted with; unconscious or unaware; - used with of.
Ignorant of guilt, I fear not shame.
Ignorant
Unknown; undiscovered.
Ignorant concealment.
Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?
Ignorant
Resulting from ignorance; foolish; silly.
His shipping,Poor ignorant baubles! - on our terrible seas,Like eggshells moved.
In such businessAction is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorantMore learned than the ears.
In the first ages of Christianity, not only the learned and the wise, but the ignorant and illiterate, embraced torments and death.
Ignorant
A person untaught or uninformed; one unlettered or unskilled; an ignoramous.
Did I for this take pains to teachOur zealous ignorants to preach?
Ignorant
Lacking general education or knowledge;
An ignorant man
Nescient of contemporary literature
An unlearned group incapable of understanding complex issues
Exhibiting contempt for his unlettered companions
Ignorant
Ignorant of the fundamentals of a given art or branch of knowledge;
Ignorant of quantum mechanics
Musically illiterate
Ignorant
Lacking basic knowledge;
How can someone that age be so ignorant?
Inexperienced and new to the real world
Ignorant
Used of things; lacking sense or awareness;
Ignorant hope
Fine innocent weather
Ignorant
Lacking knowledge or skill;
Unversed in the jargon of the social scientist
Ignorant
Lacking information or knowledge;
An unknowledgeable assistant
Common Curiosities
Can intelligent people be ignorant?
Yes, intelligence and ignorance are not mutually exclusive; anyone can be ignorant about something.
Can ignorance be intentional?
Yes, sometimes people choose to remain ignorant about certain topics due to bias, disinterest, or other reasons.
Is ignorance always a bad thing?
No, ignorance is a natural state that can be remedied through learning; it's not inherently negative.
Is calling someone an idiot acceptable?
Calling someone an idiot is generally considered disrespectful and unkind, as it attacks their intelligence and character.
Does being ignorant mean you can't learn?
No, ignorance simply means not knowing something yet; it doesn't reflect on a person's ability to learn.
How can one overcome ignorance?
Through education, openness to new information, and the willingness to learn from others.
Why is it important to distinguish between ignorant and idiot?
Understanding the difference helps promote constructive conversations and avoids unfairly judging others' intellectual capacities.
Can the context change the meaning of these terms?
Yes, context is crucial. "Ignorant" can be neutral or temporary, while "idiot" is almost always derogatory.
Is the term idiot ever used in a clinical sense today?
No, modern psychology does not use "idiot" as a clinical term; it is considered outdated and pejorative.
How should one respond to being called ignorant or an idiot?
With reflection and, if necessary, a commitment to learning more about the subject in question—or recognizing the intent behind the words, especially if used insultingly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
