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

A five-year audit of California’s judicial watchdog agency found it failed to thoroughly probe allegations of misconduct and ignored patterns of wrongdoing by some judges.

From Los Angeles Times

Hudler sprinted off the field, ignoring teammates wanting to high-five him in the dugout for saving two runs, and into the visiting clubhouse, where he stashed the ball in his locker for safekeeping.

From Los Angeles Times

She claims to have a nose for news while ignoring a fire raging in a nearby building that’s plainly visible from her vantage point.

From Salon

Senator John Kennedy, a Republican, urged Miran to ignore political considerations if confirmed.

From BBC

In a statement to parliament, Swinney said the Scottish government could not ignore "prima facie evidence" that Israel was committing genocide.

From BBC

Related Words

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