Ignorant
/ˈɪɡnərənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsLacking knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular subject or fact.
/ˈɪɡnərənt/
Lacking knowledge or awareness
She was ignorant of the danger.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who doesn't know something important, like the rules of a game or a secret. They're ignorant of it!
👶 For kids: Not knowing something.
More Examples
He is ignorant of the rules.
They remained ignorant of the truth for years.
How It's Used
"He was ignorant of the law."
"The professor found the student to be quite ignorant on the subject."
Exhibiting or characterized by a lack of knowledge or education; rude or impolite due to a lack of knowledge.
/ˈɪɡnərənt/
Showing a lack of knowledge or education
It was an ignorant comment.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone saying something that shows they don't know something, like getting a fact wrong. This means they're being ignorant in what they are saying.
👶 For kids: Being rude because you don't know something.
More Examples
His actions revealed an ignorant attitude toward other cultures.
She was criticized for being ignorant and insensitive.
How It's Used
"The politician's ignorant comments caused an uproar."
"In the past, many people were ignorant due to lack of access to education."
Idioms & expressions
ignorance is bliss
The state of not knowing something is sometimes more pleasant than knowing it.
"He decided to stay ignorant of her secret, believing that ignorance is bliss."
From Latin *ignorans*, present participle of *ignorare* 'not to know, be unaware of,' from *ignarus* 'not knowing,' from *in-* 'not' + *gnarus* 'knowing.'
Historically, 'ignorant' was used to describe those who were uneducated, particularly in religious matters.
Memory tip
Imagine an 'ignoring' ant – it 'ignores' the information in the ant farm, making it ignorant.