don't-know: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, academic (social sciences), technical (survey design).
Quick answer
What does “don't-know” mean?
An individual who either lacks knowledge or refuses to state an opinion on a particular topic, especially in the context of an opinion poll.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An individual who either lacks knowledge or refuses to state an opinion on a particular topic, especially in the context of an opinion poll.
A response or category in surveys indicating uncertainty, indecision, or unwillingness to commit to a position; can also refer to an uninformed or unopinionated person more generally.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, though more frequently encountered in American media due to the prevalence of opinion polling. The hyphenated form is standard in both.
Connotations
Neutral-technical in both, though can carry a mild negative connotation when used outside strict polling contexts to imply a lack of intellectual engagement.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, but higher in American English within political journalism and social science reporting.
Grammar
How to Use “don't-know” in a Sentence
The poll included a significant number of don't-knows.She was classified as a don't-know.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “don't-know” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The don't-know vote is crucial in this marginal constituency.
American English
- Don't-know voters could swing the election either way.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market research reports to segment consumer responses.
Academic
A key variable in political science and sociology research methodologies.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be used humorously to describe someone who can't make up their mind.
Technical
A standard response code and demographic category in survey design and statistical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “don't-know”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “don't-know”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “don't-know”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He don't-knows the answer' – incorrect).
- Omitting the hyphen when using it as a noun (e.g., 'The dont knows' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a standard, though specialised, term in the context of polling and survey research. It is hyphenated when used as a noun or adjective.
Yes, but only in appropriate contexts, such as academic papers in social sciences, journalism about polls, or market research reports. It is not used in general formal prose.
The plural is 'don't-knows' (e.g., 'There were fifteen don't-knows in the sample').
They are often synonymous in polling. However, 'don't-know' can specifically refer to someone who gave that response, while 'undecided' might describe their state of mind. In practice, they are used interchangeably.
An individual who either lacks knowledge or refuses to state an opinion on a particular topic, especially in the context of an opinion poll.
Don't-know: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdəʊnt ˈnəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdoʊnt ˈnoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To reduce the don't-knows”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pollster asking, 'Do you support X?' and someone shrugging, saying 'I don't know' – they become a recorded 'don't-know'.
Conceptual Metaphor
IGNORANCE/INDECISION AS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY (e.g., 'The don't-knows represent 15% of the sample.').
Practice
Quiz
What part of speech is 'don't-know' primarily used as in the sentence: 'The don't-knows were excluded from the final analysis.'?