# ignorant

/ˈɪɡnɝənt/ (US) · /ˈɪɡnəɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ignorant
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. lacking knowledge

adjective · CEFR B2

not knowing about something or lacking education in a specific area.

For teachers: destitute of knowledge or education; lacking information regarding a specific subject.

- Many people are ignorant of the new tax laws that were passed last year.
- The public remains largely ignorant of the complex geopolitical factors that precipitated the current energy crisis.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 2. rude or ill-mannered

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

behaving in a way that is rude, impolite, or shows a lack of respect.

For teachers: displaying a lack of manners or social grace; discourteous.

- It was very ignorant of him to interrupt the speaker in the middle of a sentence.
- The customer's ignorant behaviour toward the waitstaff caused a significant disturbance in the dining room.

Teaching tip: In many dialects, particularly in British and Irish English, this is a very common way to call someone rude rather than just uninformed.

## Examples

- He is completely ignorant of the new safety rules.
- Many people remain ignorant of how their personal data is used by social media companies until a major leak occurs.
- The committee's decision was based on an ignorant assumption regarding the local economy, failing to account for the seasonal fluctuations that define the region's primary industry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.