ignorance
Americannoun
noun
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:
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.
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
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 • Mar. 6, 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
The latter could be forgiven their ignorance, but a weak player—which, by definition, included almost anyone he could beat—had no excuse.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
