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 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 Williams portrayed the couple's seemingly perfect, know-it-all daughter, Laura. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of know-it-all was in 1873

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

know-it-all

noun
ˈnō-ət-ˌȯl
: a person who always claims to know everything

More from Merriam-Webster on know-it-all

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