ignorant
IHG-nuh-ruhnt
Ignorant (adjective) means lacking knowledge or education, generally or about a particular subject. Example: “I am ignorant about cars, so I let the mechanic explain the problem.”
adjective
1
Lacking knowledge or education, generally or about a particular subject.
"I am ignorant about cars, so I let the mechanic explain the problem."
"He was completely ignorant of the risks before he signed the contract."
"The course is designed for people ignorant of basic economics."
2
Rude or badly behaved.
"Shouting at the waiter was ignorant, and everyone at the table felt embarrassed."
"Don't be so ignorant, and say thank you when someone helps you."
"It was pretty ignorant of him to interrupt the speaker like that."
How to use ignorant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot knowing something — or, informally, just plain rude.
When to use it
The "rude" sense is informal/slang and common in casual speech.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ignorant of the facts
blissfully ignorant
ignorant remark
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Word forms
- Plural
- ignorants
- Comparative
- ignoranter, more ignorant
- Superlative
- ignorantest, most ignorant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I am _____ about cars, so I let the mechanic explain the problem.
Etymology
From Old French ignorant, from Latin ignorans, "not knowing."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ignorant
See all rhymes for ignorant →Frequently asked questions
What does “ignorant” mean?
The word “ignorant” means lacking knowledge or education, generally or about a particular subject. In plain terms, not knowing something — or, informally, just plain rude.
How do you pronounce “ignorant”?
“Ignorant” is pronounced IHG-nuh-ruhnt (/ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ignorant” in a sentence?
Here is “ignorant” used in a sentence: “He was completely ignorant of the risks before he signed the contract.”
What is another word for “ignorant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ignorant” include benighted, cimmerian, foolish, clueless, ill-informed and illiterate.
What is the opposite of “ignorant”?
The opposite of “ignorant” — its antonyms — are educated, familiar, knowledgable, learned and trained.
What part of speech is “ignorant”?
“Ignorant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ignorant” come from?
The word “ignorant” comes from Latin. From Old French ignorant, from Latin ignorans, "not knowing.".
Is “ignorant” a common word?
“Ignorant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "ignorant" and "stupid"?
"Ignorant" means lacking knowledge, which can be fixed by learning, while "stupid" means lacking intelligence, which is about ability rather than information. A brilliant person can still be ignorant of a subject they have never studied. Because the words are often confused, "ignorant" is frequently heard as an insult even when only a knowledge gap is meant.
Does "ignorant" mean rude?
In informal British and Irish English it can: "ignorant" is commonly used there to mean rude or badly behaved, as in "Don't be so ignorant — say thank you." In American English the word almost always means lacking knowledge, so this second sense can cause confusion between dialects.
Do you say "ignorant of" or "ignorant about"?
Both are standard: "ignorant of" is the more traditional, formal pairing ("ignorant of the law"), while "ignorant about" is slightly more conversational ("ignorant about politics"). Avoid "ignorant to," which is nonstandard in careful writing.
Is it offensive to call someone ignorant?
It usually lands as an insult, even though the literal meaning — lacking knowledge of something — applies to everyone in some area and carries no judgment of intelligence. Neutral alternatives such as "unaware," "uninformed," or "unfamiliar with" describe the same gap without the sting.
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