irrespective
Americanadjective
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of irrespective
First recorded in 1630–40; ir- 2 + respective
Explanation
The adverb irrespective means regardless or in spite, and it is almost always followed by the word "of." Irrespective of your desire to stay inside on a bitterly cold day, the dog still needs to be walked. Irrespective is a combination of the Latin roots ir, meaning not, and respectivus, meaning having regard for. The word irrespective is sometimes confused with its synonym regardless, giving rise in the early 20th century to the nonstandard word irregardless, which is considered an error by most grammarians, irrespective of how many people use irregardless in their everyday speech.
Vocabulary lists containing irrespective
Fences
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Vocabulary from the Magna Carta on its 800th Anniversary
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This Side of Wild
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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.
However, this all pales in comparison to prime-aged fathers who have participation rates that frequently approach and surpass 95%, irrespective of their child’s age.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
Your question is timely, irrespective of the answer being “don’t do it!”
From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026
In wartime, without any kind of mutual trust, even a form of words that keeps the ceasefire going irrespective of there being no agreement on wider issues will look positive.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Nearly everyone in England, Wales and Scotland is benefiting from the cut irrespective of their tariff, although the amounts will vary between households.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
“This was the final culmination of the women’s fight,” she said, “and women, irrespective of factions, should have been allowed to be present when the proclamation was signed.”
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
