ignorant
ignorant
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "ignorant" is /ˈɪɡnərənt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ig: /ɪɡ/ - A short "i" sound as in "bit" followed by a hard "g" sound as in "go".
no: /nə/ - A schwa sound (ə) following an "n". The schwa is a very reduced, neutral vowel sound. It's often described as sounding like "uh".
rant: /rənt/ - An "r" sound followed by a schwa and then a "t".
Word Form Variations
ignorant (adjective): This is the base form, meaning lacking knowledge or awareness.
ignorantly (adverb): This describes doing something in an ignorant way.
ignorance (noun): This refers to the state of being ignorant. It can be countable (a specific instance of ignorance) or uncountable (the general condition).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: ignorant
Definition 1: Lacking knowledge or information about a particular subject or topic.
Synonyms: uninformed, unaware, unenlightened, uneducated, clueless, benighted
Antonyms: knowledgeable, informed, aware, educated, enlightened, erudite
Example: "He was ignorant of the local customs."
Definition 2: Lacking general knowledge or education.
Synonyms: uneducated, untaught, unschooled, illiterate
Antonyms: educated, learned, literate, scholarly
Example: "While brilliant in math, he was surprisingly ignorant in history."
Definition 3: (Informal) Showing a lack of awareness or understanding, often in a rude or insensitive way.
Synonyms: oblivious, insensitive, clueless, thickheaded, dense
Antonyms: perceptive, aware, understanding, sensitive, insightful
Example: "His ignorant remarks about other cultures caused offense."
Adverb: ignorantly
Definition: In an ignorant manner; without knowledge or awareness.
Synonyms: unknowingly, unwittingly, unintentionally, naively
Antonyms: knowingly, intentionally, consciously, deliberately
Example: "She ignorantly drank the poisoned water."
Noun: ignorance
Definition 1: The state of being ignorant; lack of knowledge or information.
Synonyms: unawareness, unfamiliarity, nescience, incomprehension
Antonyms: knowledge, awareness, understanding, comprehension, erudition
Example: "His ignorance of the facts led to a wrong decision."
Definition 2: A specific instance of lacking knowledge or understanding. (Less common, can be countable)
Synonyms: blind spot, gap in knowledge, misconception
Antonyms: insight, understanding, expertise
Example: "Everyone has their ignorances, areas where they aren't knowledgeable."
Examples of Use
Books:
"Ignorance is bliss." (Common proverb, often found in various literature and self-help books) This proverb explores the idea that not knowing something can sometimes be preferable to knowing it.
"The more you learn, the more you realize how ignorant you are." (Often attributed to various philosophers like Socrates, this idea appears in philosophical texts and discussions about the pursuit of knowledge). This highlights the vastness of knowledge and the limitations of individual understanding.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Critics accused the politician of making ignorant remarks about immigration." (News article example, found in various news sources like the New York Times, The Guardian, etc. – specific articles change frequently). This illustrates how "ignorant" can be used to describe insensitive or misinformed comments.
"A study revealed widespread ignorance about basic financial literacy." (News article example, also found in various publications dealing with education, economics, or social issues). This example demonstrates the use of "ignorance" to describe a lack of knowledge in a specific area.
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Character dialogue in movies or TV shows: "You're so ignorant!" (Commonly used in dramatic or comedic contexts). This shows how the word is used in everyday conversation, often with a negative connotation.
Social media discussions: "This is such an ignorant take!" (Common in online debates and discussions). This illustrates how "ignorant" is used to criticize opinions or viewpoints considered uninformed.
Song lyrics: "Living in ignorant bliss" (Common theme in music, exploring the idea of choosing not to know about unpleasant realities). This demonstrates the word's use in artistic expression.
General Public Discourse:
"I was ignorant of the risks involved." (Commonly used in everyday conversations when explaining a mistake or lack of awareness). This demonstrates how people use the word to acknowledge their own lack of information.
"It's important to educate people and combat ignorance." (Used in discussions about social issues, education, and public health campaigns). This highlights the societal value placed on overcoming ignorance.
10 Famous Quotes Using Ignorant
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." — Martin Luther King Jr.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." — Socrates
"It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument." — William G. McAdoo
"The ignorant always believe they are right." — Proverbs 12:15
"The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about." — Wayne Dyer
"Prejudice is the child of ignorance." — William Hazlitt
"An ignorant mind is a prison without bars." — Anonymous
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant." — Amos Bronson Alcott
"Ignorant people think they’re always right. Wise people listen and learn." — Proverbs 12:15
"Ignorant is not a crime, but staying that way by choice is." — Neil deGrasse Tyson
Etymology
The word comes from the Latin word ignorare, which means "to be ignorant of, not know." Think of it like "ignoring" something, but in the sense of not being aware of it, rather than deliberately shutting it out.
Ignorare itself is built from two parts:
in- which means "not"
gnoscere which means "to know"
So, literally, ignorare means "not to know."
The word "ignorant" first appeared in English in the 14th century. Its earliest meanings were very similar to the Latin origin: lacking knowledge or awareness, uninformed, or unaware. It has kept essentially the same core meaning throughout its history. While the word can sometimes have a harsh or negative connotation, its basic meaning is simply about a lack of knowledge, not necessarily a lack of intelligence or other positive qualities.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ignorant
Phrases using "ignorant":
Blissful ignorance: This phrase, often part of the saying "Ignorance is bliss," refers to the idea that not knowing something can sometimes be preferable to knowing it, as it avoids worry or stress.
Willful ignorance: This refers to the conscious choice to remain uninformed about something, often to avoid uncomfortable truths or maintain a particular viewpoint.
Blatant ignorance: This describes a lack of knowledge that is very obvious and perhaps even embarrassing.
Feigned ignorance: This describes pretending to be unaware of something, often for strategic reasons.
Phrases expressing the concept of ignorance (using synonyms or related ideas):
To be in the dark: This idiom means to be unaware of something. "I was completely in the dark about the upcoming changes."
To be clueless: This means to have no understanding or knowledge of something. "He's clueless about how to fix the computer."
To be unaware of: This is a more formal way of saying someone is ignorant of something. "She was unaware of the risks involved."
To have a blind spot: This refers to an area where someone lacks understanding or awareness. "He has a blind spot when it comes to dealing with criticism."
To not know something from Adam: This idiom means to be completely ignorant of something. "I don't know him from Adam."
To be lost (on someone): This means something is not understood. "The technical jargon was completely lost on me."
Original phrases (playing with the idea):
"An ocean of ignorance, dotted with islands of knowledge." (Metaphorically describes the vastness of what we don't know compared to what we do know).
"Choosing ignorance is a form of self-defense, but also a prison." (Explores the double-edged sword of choosing not to know).
While "ignorant" itself may not be a hotbed of idioms, the concept of ignorance is frequently expressed in various ways in the English language.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ignorant from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
