ignore
Americanverb (used with object)
-
ignores,
present (3rd person singular)
-
ignored,
past participle, past
-
ignoring
present participle
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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ignorernoun
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ignorableadjective
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unignorableadjective
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unignoredadjective
-
unignoringadjective
-
well-ignoredadjective
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unignorablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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ignoresimple
-
ignoressimple
-
have ignoredperfect
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has ignoredperfect
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am ignoringprogressive
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are ignoringprogressive
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is ignoringprogressive
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have been ignoringperfect progressive
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has been ignoringperfect progressive
Past
-
ignoredsimple
-
had ignoredperfect
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was ignoringprogressive
-
were ignoringprogressive
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had been ignoringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of ignore
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin ignōrāre “to not know, disregard,” verb derivative of ignārus “ignorant, unaware” (with -ō- perhaps from ignōtus “unknown”), equivalent to in- in- 3 + gnārus “knowing, acquainted (with)”; akin to (g)nōscere “to know 1 ”
Explanation
To ignore something is to disregard it. If you ignore the rules of grammar, you're likely to be misunderstood. It's easy to see the relationship between ignore and a word such as ignorant. To be ignorant of something is to know nothing about it. A good way to be ignorant about something is to ignore it. In other words, if you want to be ignorant about a certain subject—that is, if you want to know nothing about it—then by all means ignore it. Pay it no mind.
Vocabulary lists containing ignore
Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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Sula
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"Indian Summer Sun" and "Almost Evenly Divided"
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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.
See Examples For:
It arose during a process called "jailbreaking", where researchers use a series of complex instructions to see if AI tools ignore guardrails - which Mindgard said should have stopped Kimi from discussing concerning topics.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
If you routinely misread or ignore social cues — or tend to act impulsively — that’s a potential red flag.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026
“If a book is 10% or 20% AI-generated, you can at least ignore it or you can think that the writer used it to copy-edit,” Chakrabarty said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Although some might consider it taboo to steal from a church, he said, when the price of a good rises high enough, people are more likely to take risks or ignore their own moral compass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Jack chose to ignore that last comment and turned his attention to the grate.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
“It ignores or virtually ignores most of the major events in American history,” he wrote.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026
The guy then ignores said friend—only to learn that those crypto holdings are going to the moon while his own investments are going nowhere.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
In a statement shared with US media, lawyers for Black called the House move an "outrageous action that ignores the facts and the truth about Mr. Black".
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Every year, I stage a quiet tantrum for AC/DC and the NFL ignores me.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Leo ignores me, but I know what’s running through his mind.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
However, the royal succession committee ignored her wishes, insisting their selection process was conducted in accordance with Tooro customs and traditions.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
“While others have spoken of peace, I have made peace. While others have ignored threats, I have confronted them.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
A guy he knew had told him to invest early, but Walker had ignored him, only to watch from the sidelines as the price went up and up and up.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
County’s Department of Children and Family Services went ignored, according to a civil lawsuit filed late last year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Master Gogolev sat scribbling his poems and sobbing in a corner, where he could safely be ignored.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
There had been accusations that the honours system had been ignoring rugby league out of snobbishness.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Specialist façade contractor Lindner Prater was also fined £300,000, after it and St James were found guilty of ignoring "foreseeable risks".
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Death is uncomfortable to plan for, but ignoring it doesn’t make it cheaper.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
A perfect marriage of horror and comedy, ‘Widow’s Bay’ reminds us that ignoring monsters won’t make them go away.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
Without a thought he leaped to her rescue, ignoring Jonn's shout of surprise.
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
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.
