Uninitiated
mediumNeutral toneun-ih-NISH-ee-ay-tid
adjective
Definition
Without special knowledge or experience
Memory hook
UN-INITIATED: not yet INITIATED into the group — lacking knowledge or experience.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The jargon confused the uninitiated.”
“To the uninitiated, the rules seem complex.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The jargon confused the ______.”
Show answer
uninitiated
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Uninitiated is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "inexperienced" or "unversed" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "experienced".
Related GRE Words
fledgling
A young bird just fledged; a person or organization that is new and inexperienced
greenhorn
An inexperienced or naive person
maven
An expert or connoisseur in a particular field
obscure
Not discovered or known about; uncertain
pundit
a self-styled expert who comments authoritatively, especially in media
savant
A learned person; someone with exceptional knowledge
Master uninitiated and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.