ignorance
IHG-nuh-ruhns
Ignorance (noun) means a lack of knowledge, information, or education about something. Example: “Out of ignorance, he fed the dog something that made it ill.”
noun
1
A lack of knowledge, information, or education about something.
"There had been the whisky and Perrier in the morning but, in my ignorance of alcoholics then, I could not imagine one whisky harming anyone who was driving in an open car in the rain."
— Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast (1964)
"Out of ignorance, he fed the dog something that made it ill."
"Her ignorance of local customs led to an embarrassing mistake."
"Ignorance of the law is rarely accepted as an excuse in court."
"She shows total ignorance about the topic at hand."
How to use ignorance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSimply not knowing something — it doesn't always imply stupidity, just a gap in knowledge.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sheer ignorance
ignorance of the facts
plead ignorance
out of ignorance
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Word forms
- Plural
- ignorances
Fill the gap
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Out of _____, he fed the dog something that made it ill.
Etymology
From Old French ignorance, from Latin ignorantia, from ignorare, "not to know."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ignorance
See all rhymes for ignorance →Frequently asked questions
What does “ignorance” mean?
The word “ignorance” means a lack of knowledge, information, or education about something. In plain terms, simply not knowing something — it doesn't always imply stupidity, just a gap in knowledge.
How do you pronounce “ignorance”?
“Ignorance” is pronounced IHG-nuh-ruhns (/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “ignorance” in a sentence?
Here is “ignorance” used in a sentence: “Her ignorance of local customs led to an embarrassing mistake.”
What part of speech is “ignorance”?
“Ignorance” is a noun.
Where does the word “ignorance” come from?
The word “ignorance” comes from Latin. From Old French ignorance, from Latin ignorantia, from ignorare, "not to know.".
Is “ignorance” a common word?
“Ignorance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between ignorance and stupidity?
Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, information, or education about something, and it can be fixed by learning. Stupidity is a lack of intelligence or good judgment, which concerns how someone thinks rather than what they happen to know.
What is the difference between ignorance and innocence?
Ignorance is simply a lack of knowledge about something, while innocence implies freedom from guilt, wrongdoing, or worldly experience. A person can be ignorant of a fact without being innocent, and an innocent person is not necessarily ignorant.
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