Ignore: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：disregard (ignore)

ignore 🔊

/ɪɡˈnɔːr/

vt.

To choose not to pay attention to something or someone, as if you didn't see or hear them.

Person ignoring notifications with headphones and relaxed pose

disregard 🔊

➕

/dɪs.rɪˈɡɑːrd/

vt.

To deliberately pay no attention to someone or something; to treat as if not present.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ignorare' (not to know): in- (not) + gnoscere (to know).

💡 Mnemonic

I GNOre = I Go NO more - when you ignore, you stop engaging.

📖 Example

My phone kept buzzing with messages, but I decided to ignore it and focus on finishing my homework. 🔊 My phone kept buzzing with messages, but I decided to ignore it and focus on finishing my homework.

🔗 Collocations

ignore someone – to deliberately not pay attention to a person

ignore advice – to refuse to follow or consider someone's suggestion

ignore warnings – to disregard cautionary information

🔄 Synonyms

disregard (vt.) – to pay no attention to; treat as unworthy of notice

neglect (vt.) – to fail to care for or pay attention to something or someone

overlook (vt.) – to fail to notice or consider something

🚫 Antonyms

notice (vt.) – to become aware of something through observation

attend (vi.) – to pay attention to something or someone

heed (vt.) – to pay careful attention to advice or a warning

🌱 Derivatives

ignorance (n.) – lack of knowledge or information

ignorant (adj.) – lacking knowledge or awareness

ignorantly (adv.) – in a way that shows lack of knowledge

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'ignorare' meaning 'to not know'. Over time, shifted to mean 'willfully disregard', especially in legal and social contexts.