know-it-all
noun
: one who claims to know everything
also
: one who disdains advice
know-it-all
adjective
Examples of know-it-all in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the duo’s adaptation, the town’s doctor played by Strong — known for his turn as the cutthroat Kendall Roy in Succession – expresses more compassion, rather than taking a braggadocious, know-it-all stance.
—
Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
The actual experts nodded along in mock agreement, smiling through bad suggestions because Hollis was that great to be around, a latitude few others enjoyed in a time of Wooden frustrated by know-it-all fans.
—Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024
The former is, at least according to one know-it-all, the best holiday show or movie of all time.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
As Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, has said, the learn-it-all will always trump the know-it-all.
—Robin Elledge, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Get expert advice rather than listening to a know-it-all who will point you in the wrong direction.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024
My, how the snotty, rich, entitled, know-it-all kid has fallen.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
George Bernard Shaw and James Thurber were stylistically hassled by certain know-it-alls.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
For aspiring know-it-alls, Princeton University Press sells a series of pocket-size encyclopedias covering subjects including brain phenomena and dinosaur lore.
—Ella Riley-Adams Angela Koh Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Tom Delavan, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
The actual experts nodded along in mock agreement, smiling through bad suggestions because Hollis was that great to be around, a latitude few others enjoyed in a time of Wooden frustrated by know-it-all fans.
—Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024
The former is, at least according to one know-it-all, the best holiday show or movie of all time.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
As Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, has said, the learn-it-all will always trump the know-it-all.
—Robin Elledge, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Get expert advice rather than listening to a know-it-all who will point you in the wrong direction.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024
My, how the snotty, rich, entitled, know-it-all kid has fallen.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
George Bernard Shaw and James Thurber were stylistically hassled by certain know-it-alls.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
For aspiring know-it-alls, Princeton University Press sells a series of pocket-size encyclopedias covering subjects including brain phenomena and dinosaur lore.
—Ella Riley-Adams Angela Koh Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Tom Delavan, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'know-it-all.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1873, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near know-it-all
Cite this Entry
“Know-it-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know-it-all. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
know-it-all
nounˈnō-ət-ˌȯl
: a person who always claims to know everything
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