Words / C2

bi-NYT-id/bɪˈnaɪtɪd/

Benighted means intellectually or morally in the dark (literary / formal), and also overtaken by night: a benighted policy, benighted travellers. Ignorant (already in the dictionary) is everyday not-knowing; credulous (already in the dictionary) is too ready to believe. Opaque (already in the dictionary) is hard to see through, of prose. “We’ll see” is not a spare key.

Meaning

Intellectually or morally in the dark (literary / formal); also overtaken by night.

Examples

• “A benighted “we’ll see” left the clinic without a spare key.”
• “Ignorant is not knowing (already in B2). Credulous is too ready to believe (already in C2). Opaque is hard to see through (already in C2). A slow week can still cut a second key. Calling the gap “calm” is how a night post dies. Cut the key; then rest.”

Good to know

Intellectually unenlightened (literary). Everyday: ignorant (already in this dictionary). Close: credulous (already in C2). Contrast: opaque (obscure — already in C2). Mood ≠ a spare key.

Near in meaning

unenlightened, ignorant, backward, dark

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