untutored

adjective

un·​tu·​tored ˌən-ˈtü-tərd How to pronounce untutored (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
a
: having no formal learning or training
2
: not produced or developed by instruction : native
untutored shrewdness
Choose the Right Synonym for untutored

ignorant, illiterate, unlettered, untutored, unlearned mean not having knowledge.

ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing.

an ignorant fool
ignorant of nuclear physics

illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write.

much of the population is still illiterate

unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading.

an allusion meaningless to the unlettered

untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization.

strange monuments built by an untutored people

unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects.

poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses

Examples of untutored in a Sentence

to the untutored observer these works of art must seem strange indeed
Recent Examples on the Web To an untutored lurker, the whole thing seemed like … a frickin’ ballet, or some less dainty choreography, a headlong dance of astounding precision. Jody Rosen, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023 Blessed with a harsh, untutored, yet inimitably soulful voice, MacGowan forged a blend of traditional Irish folk music and punk rock that was later mimicked outright by bands the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, and left a clear influence on acts such as Gogol Bordello and Mumford and Sons. Andrew Barker, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 On behalf of this untutored common man, the Democrats democratized, eliminating the last property restrictions on white men’s voting eligibility while proliferating the number of elective offices in government, from judges to sheriffs to county clerks. Sam Rosenfeld, The New Republic, 15 Feb. 2022 Most rock vocalists are untutored. Damon Linker, The Week, 4 Sep. 2021 This led some people to dismiss him as a brash, untutored interloper. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2023 Guadagnino’s allegory details the self-destruction at the heart of teens’ untutored idealism. Armond White, National Review, 11 Jan. 2023 The untutored mind does not like to be alone with itself. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2014 Holder sought out the offbeat, the untutored, and the visionary. John Beardsley, ELLE Decor, 18 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'untutored.' 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

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of untutored was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near untutored

Cite this Entry

“Untutored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untutored. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

untutored

adjective
un·​tu·​tored ˌən-ˈt(y)üt-ərd How to pronounce untutored (audio)
ˈən-
: having no formal learning or training
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