ignorance
gb/ˈɪɡnɚəns/ us/ˈɪɡnɚəns/
B1
English
~ 2400
tudatlanság, ismerethiány, tájékozatlanság
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s ignorance of [something]
His ignorance of basic history surprised the teacher.
A tanárt meglepte, hogy ilyen hiányosak az alapvető történelmi ismeretei.
The report highlighted public ignorance about climate change.
A jelentés rávilágított a közvélemény klímaváltozással kapcsolatos tájékozatlanságára.
She admitted her ignorance regarding the rules of the game.
Ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law.
They lived in blissful ignorance of the danger nearby.
Learner examples
My ignorance about the topic made it hard to join the talk.
A témával kapcsolatos tájékozatlanságom megnehezítette, hogy bekapcsolódjak a beszélgetésbe.
He showed his ignorance of the city's history.
Megmutatkozott, mennyire nem ismeri a város történetét.
I was in ignorance about her plans.
Ignorance can lead to mistakes.
We should fight ignorance with education.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ignorance' with 'stupidity'; 'ignorance' means not knowing, while 'stupidity' means lacking intelligence.
Meaning
Lack of knowledge or awareness
Collocations
complete ignorance
|willful ignorance
|ignorance of the law
|out of ignorance
|remain in ignorance
Synonyms
unknowingness (More formal and less common; refers to the same state of not knowing.)
|
unawareness (Emphasizes not being conscious of something rather than lacking factual knowledge.)
Antonyms
knowledge (Direct opposite; having information or understanding about something.)
|
awareness (Opposite in the sense of being conscious or informed about something.)
Themes
education
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When a person does not know something or does not understand it.
The state of not knowing about something or being unaware of facts or information.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ignorance
IPA
GB/ˈɪɡnɚəns/
US/ˈɪɡnɚəns/
Syllables & stress
ig - nor - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ig)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ignorance
- Plural: ignorance
Word family
Expressions
blissful ignorance
1/blˈɪsfəl ˈɪɡnɚəns/
fixed phrase
Happy because not knowing the truth
A happy feeling because you do not know about something bad or difficult.
Examples
- They enjoyed their holiday in blissful ignorance of the storm at home.
- Her blissful ignorance about politics kept her stress-free.
in ignorance of
1/ˈɪn ˈɪɡnɚəns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
Without knowing about something
Not knowing about something when you do it.
Examples
- She signed the contract in ignorance of its true meaning.
- He acted in ignorance of the safety rules.
ignorance is bliss
1/ˈɪɡnɚəns ˈɪz blˈɪs/
idiom
Not knowing can make you happier
Sometimes it is better and makes you happier if you do not know about bad or difficult things.
Examples
- I decided not to read the bad reviews—ignorance is bliss.
- He decided not to read the bad reviews—ignorance is bliss.
- He never asks about the company's problems; for him, ignorance is bliss.
- I never check my bank account during vacations; ignorance is bliss.