clueless

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableinformal

   Having no idea about something, especially something you should reasonably know.

   Grammar: Often followed by about: clueless about money.

   Patterns

   • clueless about something

   I was clueless about how the washing machine worked.

   He is clueless when it comes to cooking.

   The new manager seemed clueless about the company's problems.

2. 2adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving

   Lacking common sense or awareness of what is going on around you.

   Grammar: Can describe a person generally, with a teasing or insulting edge.

   Patterns

   • totally clueless

   My brother is hopelessly clueless; he never notices when someone is upset.

   She gave the clueless tourist directions.

   Don't be so clueless, we told you twice.

Word forms

Common combinations

totally clueless

I was totally clueless about the plan.

completely clueless

They were completely clueless about the rules.

clueless about

He is clueless about fashion.

hopelessly clueless

The intern was hopelessly clueless.

look clueless

The tourist looked clueless at the ticket machine.

Synonyms and how they differ

ignorant

Ignorant is more formal and can sound insulting, while clueless is casual and often joking.

oblivious

Oblivious means unaware of something around you, not lacking skill or knowledge.

naive

Naive suggests innocence and trust, whereas clueless suggests a gap in basic knowledge.

dense

Dense implies slow to understand, which is a trait; clueless can be a lack of information only.

Opposites

Word family

clue noun

a piece of information that helps solve something

cluelessness noun

the state of having no idea

cluelessly adverb

in a way that shows no understanding

clued-up adjective

well informed

Commonly confused: clueless or careless?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “clueless”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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