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

“Like, I know this is hard to explain,” she said, giggling at the comprehensiveness of his ignorance.

From Los Angeles Times

This delightful compilation suggests that even those in the world of architecture have been leaning on Vitruvius for knowledge about the Roman architectural world through some combination of ignorance and laziness.

From The Wall Street Journal

The “Monkey King” premiere took place the day after the final performance of Matthew Ozawa’s thoughtful new production of Wagner’s “Parsifal,” a very different tale about ignorance and enlightenment.

From The Wall Street Journal

But this obsession is so clouded by ignorance and false assumptions that the nature and direction of the relationship is never straightforward.

From Salon

Synths aren’t supposed to have a conscience, but they also lack fear as we know it, which is to say the variety that breeds ignorance.

From Salon

Related Words

• benightedness
• blindness
• nescience
• unawareness