Ignorance
ˈɪɡnərəns
Definitions
A lack of knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular thing.
ˈɪɡnərəns
Lack of knowledge or information
The villagers' ignorance of modern medicine meant they suffered unnecessarily.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to assemble furniture but don't have the instructions. That feeling of not knowing what to do? That's ignorance! It's like being in the dark about something.
👶 For kids: Not knowing something. Like, if you don't know how to ride a bike, that's ignorance!
More Examples
His ignorance of the risks involved in the project led to significant losses.
We shouldn't tolerate ignorance, but instead strive for education and understanding.
How It's Used
"His ignorance of the law led to his arrest."
"The study revealed a shocking level of ignorance among students about basic science."
"Political ignorance about the issue contributed to the problem."
Idioms & expressions
blissful ignorance
A state of happiness and contentment resulting from lack of knowledge.
"They lived in blissful ignorance of the dangers that lay ahead."
to plead ignorance
To claim that one does not know something, especially as an excuse.
"He pleaded ignorance when questioned about the missing funds, claiming he hadn't been informed."
From Middle English, from Old French *ignorance*, from Latin *ignorantia*, from *ignorare* ('not to know, be unaware').
The term has been used extensively throughout history, often linked to religious and philosophical discussions about knowledge and truth. Used by both Classical and Medieval scholars.
Memory tip
Think of someone who *ignores* facts – they're in *ignorance*.