DictionaryAI

ignore

verb
ig-NOR/ɪɡˈnoɹ/UKig-NAW/ɪɡˈnɔː/

Formsignores, ignoring, ignored

4 meanings of ignore

Practice

  1. 1
    pay no attentionverbtransitive
    To choose not to listen to or pay attention to someone or something on purpose.

    Like turning your eyes away from something you don't want to see.

    She decided to ignore the rude comment and kept working.

    He ignored his phone all afternoon.

    UsageIt means you choose not to notice. If you don't know something, say I don't know.

    Similardisregard, neglect

    Oppositenotice, recognize

    Note
  2. 2
    treat as invisibleverbtransitive
    To act like you do not notice someone or something.

    Like walking past someone you know but acting as if they are not there.

    He ignored her at the party and talked to everyone else.

    My cat likes to ignore me when I come home.

    UsageSaying someone ignored you can suggest that they were rude or unfriendly.

    Similaroverlook

    Oppositenotice, observe

    Note
  3. 3
    overlookverbtransitive
    To leave something out or not count it, as a rule or a computer program does.

    Similaroverlook, miss

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To have no knowledge of something at all.

    Oppositeknow

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From French ignorer, from Latin ignoro meaning 'to not know' or 'take no notice of'. It is probably linked to Latin ignarus, 'not knowing', and goes back to the root meaning 'to know'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts