ignore

1 of 2

verb

ig·​nore ig-ˈnȯr 

ignored; ignoring

transitive verb

1

a

: to refuse to take notice of

I'm ignoring their comments.

b

: to do nothing about or in response to

cannot just ignore the warning signs

2

law : to reject (a bill of indictment) as ungrounded

ignorable

ig-ˈnȯr-ə-bəl 

adjective

ignorer noun

ignorer

2 of 2

noun

ig·​nor·​er

igˈnōrə(r), 

-nȯr-

plural -s

: one that ignores

Synonyms of ignore

Verb

• forget
• disregard
• overlook
• neglect

Choose the Right Synonym for ignore

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention.

neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Examples of ignore in a Sentence

Verb

She tried to ignore him but he wouldn't leave her alone.

I'll ignore that last remark.

If we continue to ignore these problems they will only get worse.

They ignored the warning signs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The White House is likely to play hardball if confronted with investigations, and Democrats are bracing for an administration that potentially ignores subpoenas or refuses to turn over paperwork that lawmakers are demanding. — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Something that has been building may finally become impossible to ignore. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Sánchez accused Madrid’s conservative regional government of pursuing luxury penthouses while ignoring demand for social housing. — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

General Daily Insight for September 26, 2026 Something that has been building may finally become impossible to ignore. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

obsolete ignore to be ignorant of, from French ignorer, from Latin ignorare, from ignarus ignorant, unknown, from in- + gnoscere, noscere to know — more at know

First Known Use

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ignore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

ignore

verb

ig·​nore ig-ˈnō(ə)r 

-ˈnȯ(ə)r

ignored; ignoring

: to refuse to notice : pay no attention to

ignored his advice

ignorable

-ˈnō(ə)r-ə-bəl 

-ˈnȯ(ə)r-

adjective

ignorer noun