ignore

[ ig-nawr, -nohr ]

verb (used with object)

, ig·nored, ig·nor·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• igˈnorable, adjective
• igˈnorer, noun

Other Words From

• ig·nora·ble adjective
• ig·norer noun
• unig·nora·ble adjective
• unig·nora·bly adverb
• unig·nored adjective
• unig·noring adjective
• well-ig·nored 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

Because the letters weren’t official subpoenas, it wasn’t clear whether deputies would actually face any consequences for ignoring them.

From Los Angeles Times

Though Saudi Arabia is not a democracy, its leaders cannot afford to ignore public sentiment, which has turned sharply against Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

Overing, on the other hand, said that because the Beverly Hills substitute teacher’s online posts about the rally ignored the proper channels for disciplining students, she could have fallen afoul of district policy.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the classic "deplatforming" argument, which continues to persist because, in the past, there were some victories of the "ignore them and they go away" variety.

From Salon

"But evolution acts on all parts of the body, great and small. Structures and regions that have been ignored are often gold mines for new insights and untold tales."

From Science Daily

Related Words

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