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Synonyms

ignorance

American  
[ig-ner-uhns] / ˈɪg nər əns /

noun

  1. the state or fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge, learning, information, etc.


ignorance British  
/ ˈɪɡnərəns /

noun

  1. lack of knowledge, information, or education; the state of being ignorant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-ignorance noun

Etymology

Origin of ignorance

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English word from Latin word ignōrantia. See ignore, -ance

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As Isaac Asimov observed, “There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been.”

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

It seems like the Justice Department’s plan was to send in this junior prosecutor, Daniel Rosenblum, who would respond to these questions with ignorance and say he didn’t know anything.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Who hasn’t had the experience of hearing some know-nothing proudly display his ignorance — whether in a bar, on a crowded plane or on Joe Rogan’s podcast?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

On Friday morning ap Iorwerth was asked on BBC Radio Wales if his reference to "ignorance", which was trailed ahead of his speech, meant he was suggesting Reform voters were ignorant.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

By such potent ignorance, all may be changed.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson