Ignorant Meaning
/ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹənt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjUnknowledgeable or uneducated; characterized by ignorance.
adjNot knowing (a fact or facts), unaware (of something).
Sentence Examples
He is ignorant of the world.
Not only you but also he is ignorant of the truth.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ student in the second grade did not know how to read or write properly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is unfair to call someone ____ just because they have not had the chance to go to school.
Word Origin & History
From Old French ignorant, from Latin ignōrāns (“unaware, unknowing”). By surface analysis, ignore + -ant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"That man that doth not know those things which are of use and necessity for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides;"
— 1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], London: […] B. Aylmer, […]; [a]nd W. Rogers, […], published 1696, →OCLC:
"The ignorant peasant, without fault, is greater than the philosopher with many; for what is genius or courage without an heart?"
— 1766, Oliver Goldsmith, chapter 15, in The Vicar of Wakefield, volume I, London: F. Newbery, page 150:
"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 1:8:
"Eve. Somewhat forbids me, which I cannot name;
For ignorant of guilt, I fear not shame:
But some restraining thought, I know not why,
Tells me, you long should beg, I long deny."
— 1677, John Dryden, The State of Innocence and Fall of Man, London: Henry Herringman, act II, page 14:
"That night he slept the sleep of happiness, blissfully ignorant that he had placed the letters in the wrong envelopes."
— 1921, John T. McCutcheon, The Restless Age, Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, page 179:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ student in the second grade did not know how to read or write properly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is unfair to call someone ____ just because they have not had the chance to go to school.