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ignorance

ignorance

316 3.9
Not knowing about something or how it works
  • noun
  • /ˈɪɡnərəns/
translation icon : ignorancia
  • His ignorance about the basic facts of the case surprised everyone in the room.
  • plead ignorance
  • veil of ignorance
  • knowledge and ignorance

If you cure the ignorance, then there's nothing to fear.

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Examples

  • I've been a victim of my own ignorance.

  • So knowledge and ignorance are two sides of the same coin.

  • And I think that as long as there is ignorance, there is hope.

  • So excuse my my ignorance on the subject.

  • The developing nations, however, are not subject to the same ignorance experienced by the developed world.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We lived in a world of ignorance.

  • Well, first of all, pardon my cultural ignorance.

  • "A hierarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and ignorance.

  • In a world destroyed by war and fallen into ignorance, I wander like a stray dog in search of a better place.

  • The enemies of the people in the region are hunger, ignorance, inequality, disease, crime, and environmental degradation.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

in the dark
vsignorance
  • Informal
110 5.5

Not told about important things, so you do not know them

refers to lack of knowledge rather than sensory failure
cluelessness
vsignorance
5 4.2

Not knowing what to do or how something works

is the general state of lacking knowledge without the helpless tone
obliviousness
vsignorance
2 7.4

Not noticing things happening around you

is the general state of lacking knowledge rather than forgetfulness
unfamiliarity
vsignorance
2 6.1

A lack of knowledge or experience with something

is wider, covering general lack of knowledge or awareness
unawareness
vsignorance
2 5.4

Not knowing or noticing something

is the wider term for lacking knowledge or understanding
blindness to
vsignorance
1 5.7

Not noticing or understanding something important

is broader, covering any lack of knowledge or understanding
unenlightenment
vsignorance
9.7

A state of not knowing or understanding things

is the more common simple term for that same state
nescience
vsignorance
  • Archaic
9.9

Lack of knowledge or awareness

is the everyday word used more broadly and simply
incognizance
vsignorance
9.9

Not knowing about something

is the broader, more common expression for that same state
noncognizance
vsignorance
9.9

Not being aware of a fact or change

covers that lack more generally rather than focusing on recognition
benightedness
vsignorance
  • Formal
9.9

A state of not knowing or understanding

is the neutral term without the figurative or moral tone
unknowingness
vsignorance
8.6

Being unaware of something

is broader and used in more formal or general contexts
impercipience
vsignorance
9.9

A lack of awareness of what is happening

is broader, meaning lack of knowledge rather than perception alone

Antonyms

1.0

Information and skills gained from study or experience

336 3.2

Knowing about something or noticing it

Compounds

Choosing on purpose to ignore facts you do not want to know

A thing like a school or library that helps people stay informed

How Knowledgeable

expertise
302 4.9
knowledge
1.0
ignorance
316 3.9
unawareness
2 5.4

Surface Forms

ignorance singular
ignorances plural

Morphology

ignorance = ignorant (semi-transparent) = ignor + ance

Formally derived via the stem 'ignor-' + the noun-forming suffix '-ance', but the verb 'ignore' (to deliberately pay no attention) differs in sense from the noun 'ignorance' (lack of knowledge), so the relation is not fully transparent for learners.

Etymology

Ignorance comes from the Latin verb ignorare, which has in- meaning 'not' and a root that meant 'to know'. So, ignorance literally means 'not knowing', which is why we use it for the state of not having knowledge or awareness.