ignorance

American  

[ig-ner-uhns] / ˈɪg nər əns /

noun

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

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ignorance British  

/ ˈɪɡnərəns /

noun

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

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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

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

• ignorance vs. stupidity

Example Sentences

Is it a tremendously brilliant show of ignorance?

From Literature

Apple isn’t spending less on AI out of ignorance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hegseth’s language choices and petulant tone do not demonstrate an ignorance of what rhetorical situations demand of him; instead, they reflect a refusal to be emasculated by such cumbersome norms.

From Salon

And that is strange because my ignorance was based on knowledge.

From Literature

In the internet age, ignorance has a price, and to avoid paying it, some would rather say nothing at all, even as the window for silence quickly closes.

From Salon

Related Words

• benightedness
• blindness
• nescience
• unawareness