Basic Details
Word: Ignorant
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not knowing about something, or lacking knowledge or education. It can also describe rude behaviour, so it is best used with care.
Synonyms: unaware, uninformed, unfamiliar
Antonyms: aware, informed, knowledgeable
How to Spell Ignorant
Syllables: ig - no - rant
Tricky part: The g is said before the n (ig-no), and the ending is ant, not ent. Ignorent is the most common error.
Watch out for: ignorent, ignerant, ignorrant
Memory tip: Write ignore, then swap its final e for ant: ignor + ant. An ant is too small to know much.
Usage Examples
Example 1: I was ignorant of the new timetable until my friend told me.
Example 2: Being ignorant of the rules is no excuse for breaking them.
Example 3: The visitors were ignorant of the local language but learnt a few words quickly.
Fun Fact
Ignorant and ignore both come from the Latin ignorare, not to know, though in English ignore now means to pay no attention.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word ignorant as used in the sentence:
He was ignorant of the new traffic rules and was fined at the very first signal.
a) uninformed
b) unfamiliar
c) aware
d) unaware
Show answer
c) aware. The three un- words mean the same as ignorant here; aware means knowing about the rules.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. elegant 2. ignorent 3. tolerant 4. arrogant
a) graceful and stylish
b) willing to accept other people's views
c) not knowing about something
d) too proud of yourself
Show answer
c) not knowing about something. Ignorent should end in ant, like tolerant, elegant and arrogant.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Many people are still tgorinan of the simple first-aid steps that can save a life.
a) ignoring
b) ignorance
c) ignorant
d) integral
Show answer
c) ignorant. Build ignor, from ignore, and the a, n and t left over complete ignorant.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which is the best cure for being ignorant of a subject?
a) shouting about it
b) ignoring it
c) reading about it
d) sleeping on it
Show answer
c) reading about it
2. If you are ignorant of a fact, you ____.
a) do not know it
b) dislike it
c) remember it
d) know it well
Show answer
a) do not know it
