cognitariat UK /ˌkɒɡ.nɪˈtɛə.ɹi.ət/US /ˌkɑɡ.nɪˈtɛ.ɹi.ət/ noun2 •Knowledge workers considered as a social class. •Such workers whose compensation and job security are low, not being commensurate with their high educational attainment, the costs of their education, and the value that they produce (via teaching and research); as for example with many graduate students and adjunct professors. formscognitariats