ignore

American  

[ig-nawr, -nohr] / ɪgˈnɔr, -ˈnoʊr /

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.

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ignore British  

/ ɪɡˈnɔː /

verb

1. to fail or refuse to notice; disregard

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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

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.

Example Sentences

It also does the left no favors to ignore that Republican voters have autonomy.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Drawing a red line around using chatbots to generate prose may make it easier to ignore the way that the technology may be shaping writing before one even types a single word.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

“That does not mean investors should ignore risk,” said Saxo Bank’s chief investment strategist Charu Chanana.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

To confront the world’s suffering, we must reframe how we turn away—not to ignore, but to think, feel and act.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

I ignore Aunt Melissa’s greeting and head straight for the basement, taking the steps two at a time.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

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