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Meaning & use

ignoring

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ɪɡˈnɔː.rɪŋ/
US/ɪɡˈnɔːr.ɪŋ/

“ignoring” is a form of “ignore”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    Present participle of ignore: choosing not to notice or respond to someone or something.

    Grammar: Takes an object: she kept ignoring the phone.

    Patterns

    • ignoring someone
    • ignoring something

    He is ignoring my messages again.

    Stop ignoring the warning lights on the dashboard.

    She walked past, ignoring the crowd.

  2. verbtransitive

    Refusing to follow a rule, advice or a fact.

    Grammar: Takes an object like advice or rules.

    Patterns

    • ignoring advice
    • ignoring the rules

    You are ignoring the doctor's advice.

    They were ignoring the speed limit.

    Ignoring the facts will not make them go away.

  3. verbtransitive

    Leaving something out of consideration, often to make a point simpler.

    Grammar: Often in a participle phrase: ignoring the cost, it is a good plan.

    Patterns

    • ignoring the cost
    • ignoring that

    Ignoring the price, it is a great phone.

    Ignoring small errors, the report is solid.

    Ignoring the weather, the trip went well.

Common combinations

ignoring the advice
He kept ignoring the advice of his friends.
ignoring the problem
Ignoring the problem will make it worse.
ignoring someone completely
She was ignoring him completely.
ignoring the rules
They were caught ignoring the rules.
deliberately ignoring
He is deliberately ignoring the evidence.

Synonyms and how they differ

disregarding
Disregarding is more formal and suits rules or warnings.
overlooking
Overlooking suggests missing something by accident, while ignoring is deliberate.
snubbing
Snubbing means rudely ignoring a person on purpose.
neglecting
Neglecting means failing to care for something that needs attention.

Opposites

noticingheeding

Word family

ignore verb
to pay no attention to
ignorance noun
lack of knowledge
ignorant adjective
not knowing, or rude from a lack of knowledge
ignored adjective
left without attention

Commonly confused: ignoring or ignorant?

ignoring vs ignorant

Ignorant describes someone who does not know. Ignoring is a deliberate choice to pay no attention.

Practice

'She walked past, ___ the shouts behind her.' Which fits best?

Make it your own

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