clueless

adjective

clue·​less ˈklü-ləs 

1

: having or providing no clue

a clueless case for the police to solve

2

: completely or hopelessly bewildered, unaware, ignorant, or foolish

clueless about what they want

cluelessly adverb

I played dumb. I have arrived at a point in my life where I can perform this stunt with aplomb. "What do you mean?" I asked, as cluelessly as I knew how.

—Steve Friedman

cluelessness noun

Mowrey is also trying to make a deer hunter of Bentley, whose cluelessness as an outdoors-man is a rich source of amusement to his country-boy crony.

—Austin Murphy

Synonyms

• ignorant
• unaware
• oblivious

Examples of clueless in a Sentence

When it comes to computers, I'm clueless.

They were clueless about what to do.

Recent Examples on the Web

But here’s the problem: Many of today’s fans, especially in our transient state, are clueless about Florida’s sports history. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

To make matters worse, most leaders of advanced economies are astoundingly clueless as to how to create conditions for vibrant prosperity. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

But Meg Stalter is not so much clueless as compassionately guileless. —Anna Peele, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025

Often, part of the bit was being rather clueless of her guests’ feats. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clueless

• shoeless
• viewless

Kids Definition

clueless

adjective

clue·​less ˈklü-ləs 

: having or providing no clue