uninitiated
uninitiated Lexical Profile
uninitiated Game Scores & Validity
• noun
People who are not familiar with or lack specialized knowledge of a particular subject, activity, or group (usually preceded by 'the' and treated as plural).
"For the uninitiated, the legal contract was filled with dense and confusing terminology."
• adjective
Lacking special knowledge of or experience in a particular subject, activity, or sphere.
"An uninitiated observer might find the fast-paced rules of cricket difficult to follow at first."
Not formally admitted into a society, organization, or secret group through an initiation ceremony.
"The ancient temple's inner sanctum remained strictly off-limits to uninitiated visitors."
Word Nuance & Usage
Most commonly used as a plural nominalized adjective preceded by the definite article ('the uninitiated') to refer collectively to people who lack specialized knowledge or experience in a particular area.
• Rhymes for uninitiated
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 16th century from the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'initiated', the past participle of 'initiate', which derives from the Latin 'initiatus', meaning 'admitted to secret rites' or 'begun'.