regardless

American  

[ri-gahrd-lis] / rɪˈgɑrd lɪs /

adjective

1. having or showing no regard; heedless; unmindful (often followed byof ).

   Synonyms:

   careless, neglectful, negligent, inattentive

   Antonyms:

   mindful, attentive

---

adverb

1. without concern as to advice, warning, hardship, etc.; anyway.

   I must make the decision regardless.

idioms

1. regardless of, in spite of; without regard for.

   They'll do it regardless of the cost.

regardless British  

/ rɪˈɡɑːdlɪs /

adjective

1. (usually foll by of) taking no regard or heed; heedless

---

adverb

1. in spite of everything; disregarding drawbacks

   to carry on regardless

Other Word Forms

• regardlessness
  noun
• regardlessly
  adverb

---

Etymology

Origin of regardless

First recorded in 1585–95; regard + -less

---

Compare meaning

How does regardless compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• irregardless vs. regardless

---

Explanation

If something is done without consideration, it's done regardless, usually followed by the word "of." Today you can sit wherever you'd like on a bus, regardless of your race, but this wasn't always the case. The word regardless can also be used as an adverb meaning despite everything. If your speaker had to cancel, you should carry on with the meeting regardless. People sometimes use the word irregardless when they mean regardless. Irregardless is an error resulting from a blend of irrespective and regardless. You may hear people say it, but grammarians consider it to be a mistake.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

regardless

What, if anything, about this documentary may help illuminate a few things for people, regardless of their political leanings, as we approach the midterms?

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

That could present a problem for a Villa defence that has kept just one clean sheet this season and been increasingly fallible at home, something Emery knows must improve regardless of the rebuild.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

“Happiness Insurance empowers people to take action for their happiness, investing in what matters most, regardless of what the economy does.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

So Roberts and the Dodgers are left to muddle on with Smith regardless of how much he struggles offensively.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

We know nothing is funny but need to laugh regardless.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• anyway
• nevertheless

---