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ignore

v.
US //ˌɪɡˈnɔɹ// UK //ɪɡnˈɔː// ig·nore
  1. 1 to disregard information (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to choose not to listen to or pay attention to something, like advice or a warning.

    to deliberately disregard or pay no attention to information, advice, or a stimulus.

    Example

    I decided to ignore his rude comments and keep working.

    Example

    The board of directors chose to ignore the consultant's warnings about the declining market, a decision that eventually led to a significant financial loss.

    Usage

    Takes a direct object; cannot be followed by an infinitive with 'to'.
    Pitfall
    He ignored to my advice.
    He ignored my advice.

    The verb 'ignore' is transitive and takes a direct object; do not use the preposition 'to'.

  2. 2 to snub someone (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to pretend you do not see or hear someone you know.

    to intentionally fail to acknowledge a person's presence or communication.

    Example

    She ignored me in the hallway even though I said hello.

    Example

    Despite having worked together for years, he pointedly ignored his former colleague at the industry conference.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense often implies a social 'snub' and can be perceived as quite aggressive or rude depending on the context.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃-der. Latin ignōrōlbor. French ignorer English ignore From French ignorer, from Latin ignōrō (“to have no knowledge of, mistake, take no notice of, ignore”), from ignārus (“not knowing”), from in + gnārus (“knowing”), from gnōscō, nōscō; see know.

Word family

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