Ignorance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s/ ig·no·rance

Meaning & Definition of Ignorance

Ignorance (noun)

  1. the state or fact of being ignorant, lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

Ignorance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the state of being unaware or uninformed

    "ignorance of the law is no excuse"

    similar: benightedness, cluelessness, incognizance, innocence, nescience, obliviousness, unawareness, unfamiliarity
    related: callowness, greenness, inexperience, naïveté, rawness, simpleness, unsophistication
    opposite: acquaintance, awareness, cognizance, familiarity
    near: experience, know-how, sophistication

  2. the state of being unlearned

    "with such vast sums spent on education, the level of ignorance among graduating seniors is a national disgrace"

    similar: illiteracy
    related: functional illiteracy, innumeracy, brainlessness, dumbness, idiocy, imbecility, stupidity, philistinism, foolishness, mindlessness, senselessness, witlessness
    opposite: learning, literacy
    near: education, instruction, training, enlightenment, knowledge, erudition, scholarship

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ignorance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ignorance:

benightedness, cluelessness, incognizance, innocence, nescience, obliviousness, unawareness, unfamiliarity, illiteracy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ignorance

Words with the opposite meaning of Ignorance:

acquaintance, awareness, cognizance, familiarity, learning, literacy

Related Words for Ignorance

callowness, greenness, inexperience, naïveté, rawness, simpleness, unsophistication, functional illiteracy, innumeracy, brainlessness, dumbness, idiocy, imbecility, stupidity, philistinism, foolishness, mindlessness, senselessness, witlessness

Near Antonyms of Ignorance

experience, know-how, sophistication, education, instruction, training, enlightenment, knowledge, erudition, scholarship

Origin & Etymology of Ignorance

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Ignorance

Words & Phrases Containing Ignorance

ignorance is bliss, tools of ignorance, blissful ignorance, in ignorance of, plead ignorance

Frequently Asked Questions about Ignorance

What does "Ignorance" mean?

"Ignorance" means the state or fact of being ignorant, lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. As a noun, it is defined as: the state or fact of being ignorant, lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ignorance"?

Other words for "Ignorance" include benightedness, cluelessness, incognizance, innocence, nescience, obliviousness, unawareness and unfamiliarity. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ignorance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ignorance"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ignorance". Common alternatives include benightedness, cluelessness, incognizance, innocence, nescience, obliviousness, unawareness, unfamiliarity and illiteracy.

What is the opposite of "Ignorance"?

Antonyms of "Ignorance" include acquaintance, awareness, cognizance, familiarity, learning and literacy. Near antonyms include experience, know-how, sophistication and education.

How do you use "Ignorance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ignorance" in a sentence: "ignorance of the law is no excuse"; "with such vast sums spent on education, the level of ignorance among graduating seniors is a national disgrace".

Is "Ignorance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ignorance" is a noun.

Is "Ignorance" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Ignorance" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Ignorance"?

"Ignorance" is pronounced /ˈig-n(ə-)rən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as ig·no·rance.