ignorance
/ˈɪɡnərəns/noun★Intermediate💡 lack of knowledge or awareness
general
A lack of knowledge, education, or awareness about a particular subject or situation.
His ignorance about local customs caused offense.
He didn't know about the customs and accidentally offended people.
💡
Ignorance can be intentional or unintentional.
Collocations
willful ignorancedeliberately avoiding knowledgeblissful ignorancehappy because unaware of problemsignorance is blissnot knowing can be better than knowing
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Avoiding Misuse
Be careful not to confuse 'ignorance' with 'stupidity'—ignorance refers to lack of knowledge, not lack of intelligence.
⚡Gold Rule
Legal Context
In legal contexts, ignorance of the law is generally not considered a valid defense.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'ignoraunce,' from Old French 'ignorance,' from Latin 'ignorantia,' from 'ignorare' (to not know).
📝Usage Notes
Ignorance is often used neutrally, but it can carry negative connotations when referring to willful disregard for facts.
Word Breakdown
ignore
to disregard or not know
root-ance
state or condition
suffixEnglish Dictionary