know-it-all
Always has answers
A know-it-all is a person who acts as though they have expertise on every subject and makes sure everyone knows it.
The term is always disparaging—it implies the person's confidence exceeds their actual knowledge: Nobody likes a know-it-all.
Also know-all, especially in British English.
Obnoxiously clever person
- wiseacreIrritating would-be wit
- wise-guySarcastic, flippant person
- smartassAnnoyingly glib person
- wisecrackerSomeone who jokes constantly
brainiac · egghead · nerd · geek · bookworm · wonk · Poindexter
Superior and dismissive manner
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- superiorHigher in rank
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
pompous · self-important · snobbish · disdainful · imperious · high-handed · lordly · contemptuous
One who flaunts achievements
- show-offOne who flaunts
- cockyExcessively self-assured
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- self-satisfiedSmugly pleased with oneself
conceited · egotistical · vain · boastful · swaggering · immodest · self-congratulatory · overconfident
Impossible to put up with
- obnoxiousExtremely disagreeable in manner
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- tiresomeCausing boredom or annoyance
grating · pedantic · tedious · meddlesome · intrusive · pushy · bothersome · aggravating
smart-aleck
Obnoxiously clever person
wisecracker · brainiac · egghead · nerd · geek · bookworm · wonk · Poindexter
condescending
Superior and dismissive manner
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
- superiorHigher in rank
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
supercilious · pompous · self-important · snobbish · disdainful · imperious · high-handed · lordly · contemptuous · overbearing
braggart
One who flaunts achievements
self-satisfied · conceited · egotistical · vain · boastful · swaggering · immodest · self-congratulatory · overconfident · complacent
insufferable
Impossible to put up with
- obnoxiousExtremely disagreeable in manner
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
tiresome · grating · pedantic · tedious · meddlesome · intrusive · pushy · bothersome · aggravating · unbearable
expert
Highly skilled practitioner
polymath · maven · specialist · pundit · sage · guru · whiz · genius · mastermind · encyclopedia
- compound slangairhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, dimwit
- Nerdsnerd, geek, dork, dweeb, brainiac
- know-it-allspedant, smart aleck, wise guy, wiseacre, smarty
- snobssnob, elitist, snoot, prig, highbrow
- bar patronsregular, local, barfly, drunk, bartender
- difficult peopleegomaniac, egotist, nitpicker, drama queen, control freak
know-it-allintellectual humility
Awareness of cognitive fallibility
know-nothing · student · novice · beginner · lifelong learner
know-it-allgood listener
humble · modest · unassuming · teachable · self-effacing
know-it-allSocrates
Ancient Athenian questioning philosopher
sage · deep thinker · polymath · wise elder · oracle
know, knowledge, known, knowing, unknown, acknowledge, acknowledged, knowledgeable, know-it-alls