Results for know-it-all
On this page:
 
Dictionary:

Know-it-all


n.

One who knows everything; hence, a person who makes pretension to great knowledge, especially one whose didactic conversational habit conspicuously reveals his belief that he has superior knowledge on many subjects; a wiseacre; a know-all; -- usually ironical. [Colloq. & pejorative] Note: the use of this term implies that the speaker disapproves of this behavior, and may think that it is unjustified
[1913 Webster +PJC]


 
 
Idioms: know all the answers

Also, know a thing or two; know it all; know one's way around. Be extremely knowledgeable or experienced. These idioms may be used somewhat differently, expressing overconfidence, as in Helen always knew all the answers, or thought she did, or competence, as in Bob knows a thing or two about battery technology, or ruefulness, as in I thought I knew it all about plants and then I got poison ivy, or genuine expertise, as in John knows his way around tax forms. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the second from the later 1700s, the third from the later 1800s, and the fourth, also put as know one's way about, dates from the 1500s. Also see know one's stuff; know the ropes; under tricks of the trade.


 
WordNet: know-it-all
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (informal) someone who thinks he knows everything and refuses to accept advice or information from others
  Synonym: know-all


 
Wikipedia: know-it-all

A know-it-all is a person who believes that he or she is extremely knowledgeable, and is determined to demonstrate his or her perceived intelligence at every opportunity. A know-it-all boasts about being an expert on a given subject, although his or her actual knowledge is often (but not always) limited or non-existent.

A know-it-all will invariably dispute others. For instance, someone may present a conflicting opinion or make a recommendation, but the know-it-all will act as though it had already been suggested, analyzed, and discounted. A know-it-all may also disregard or devalue advice from someone who actually has the knowledge the know-it-all purports to have.

Know-it-all may also refer to a legitimate expert who flaunts his or her knowledge.

Someone who really does possess a wealth of knowledge on various topics, but does not necessarily flaunt such knowledge, may be called a polymath.

Non-fictional know-it-alls

Fictional know-it-alls

See also

References

  1. ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3D7113DF931A25750C0A961948260

 
 

Join the WikiAnswers Q&A community. Post a question or answer questions about "know-it-all" at WikiAnswers.

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. Webster 1913 Dictionary edited by Patrick J. Cassidy  Read more
Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Know-it-all" Read more

Search for answers directly from your browser with the FREE Answers.com Toolbar!  
Click here to download now. 

Get Answers your way! Check out all our free tools and products.

On this page:   E-mail   print Print  Link  

 

Keep Reading

Mentioned In: