ignore

[ig-nawr, -nohr]

verb (used with object)

ignored, ignoring 

1. to refrain from noticing or recognizing.

   to ignore insulting remarks.

   Synonyms: overlook, neglect, disregard, slight
   Antonyms: regard, notice

2. Law.,  (of a grand jury) to reject (a bill of indictment), as on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

ignore

/ ɪɡˈnɔː /

verb

1. to fail or refuse to notice; disregard

noun

1. informal,  disregard

   to treat someone with ignore

Other Word Forms

• ignorable adjective
• ignorer noun
• unignorable adjective
• unignorably adverb
• unignored adjective
• unignoring adjective
• well-ignored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignore¹

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 ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignore¹

C17: from Latin ignōrāre not to know, from ignārus ignorant of, from i- _in- ¹ + gnārus knowing; related to Latin noscere to know

Example Sentences

As competition intensifies to create the first reliable, large-scale commercial quantum computer, a critical issue has become harder to ignore.

Read more on Science Daily

Homeland Security officials ignored multiple requests to release a complete list of alleged assaults.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It can cause us to ignore the truth, the objective truth, in favor of how a person feels.”

Read more on Salon

Politicians ignored Silicon Valley jobs where automation language hid a workforce of immigrants, often women, frequently undocumented.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With the chance to personally curate their news feed — and reinforce their attitude and outlook — people can select those things they wish to know about, and choose those they care to ignore.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• avoid 
• discount 
• fail 
• forget 
• neglect 
• overlook 
• reject 
• scorn