ignorant
gb/ˈɪɡnɚənt/ us/ˈɪɡnɚənt/
B1
English
~ 2200
tájékozatlan, nincs tisztában vmivel, tudatlan, bunkó, faragatlan, neveletlen
B1
1
Usage pattern:
ignorant of/about [something]
She was ignorant of the local customs and accidentally offended someone.
Nem ismerte a helyi szokásokat, és véletlenül megsértett valakit.
Many people remain ignorant about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.
Sokan továbbra sincsenek tisztában a túlzott cukorfogyasztás veszélyeivel.
He admitted he was completely ignorant of how the system worked.
Learner examples
I am ignorant about this topic.
Tájékozatlan vagyok ebben a témában.
She is ignorant of the rules.
Nincs tisztában a szabályokkal.
They are ignorant about the plan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ignorant' with 'stupid'. 'Ignorant' means not knowing something, not lacking intelligence.
Meaning
Not knowing about something
Collocations
remain ignorant
|completely ignorant
|ignorant of the facts
|woefully ignorant
Synonyms
unaware (Implies not knowing due to not noticing or being informed, often without blame.)
|
uninformed (Emphasizes not having the necessary information, often in a neutral tone.)
Antonyms
knowledgeable (Implies having a lot of knowledge or understanding about a subject.)
|
informed (Implies having the necessary information to understand something.)
Themes
education
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not knowing important facts or information about something.
Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular subject or fact.
B2
INFORMAL
2
He made an ignorant remark that upset everyone in the room.
Olyan bunkó megjegyzést tett, hogy mindenkit felzaklatott a szobában.
Some people think swearing in public is ignorant.
Vannak, akik szerint nyilvános helyen káromkodni bunkó dolog.
She found his loud interruptions ignorant and disrespectful.
Learner examples
That was an ignorant thing to say.
Bunkó dolog volt ilyet mondani.
He is ignorant to the waiter.
Bunkó volt a pincérrel.
Her words were very ignorant.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this meaning in formal contexts where it sounds too harsh; 'rude' is often safer.
Meaning
Rude due to lack of education or awareness
Collocations
ignorant comment
|ignorant behavior
|sound ignorant
Synonyms
uncouth (Suggests socially awkward or crude behavior.)
|
ill-mannered (Focuses on poor manners rather than lack of knowledge.)
Antonyms
polite (Shows good manners and respect toward others.)
|
courteous (Formally polite and considerate in behavior.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|relationships
|education
Definition
Acting in a rude or bad way because you do not know better.
Behaving in a rude, offensive, or uncivilized way, often perceived as resulting from a lack of education or social awareness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ignorant
IPA
GB/ˈɪɡnɚənt/
US/ˈɪɡnɚənt/
Syllables & stress
ig - nor - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ig)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ignorant
Word family
Related words
ignorantly
adverb
ignorable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
knowledgeable
adjective B2
aware
adjective B1
Expressions
blissfully ignorant
1/blˈɪsfəli ˈɪɡnɚənt/
fixed phrase
Unaware and happy about it
Not knowing something and feeling happy because you do not know it.
Examples
- He was blissfully ignorant of the trouble ahead.
- They remained blissfully ignorant about the political situation.
ignorant of the law is no excuse
1/ˈɪɡnɚənt əv ðə lˈɔ ˈɪz nˈoʊ ɪkskjˈus/
fixed phrase
formal
Not knowing the law doesn't excuse breaking it
You can still be punished for breaking the law even if you did not know it was against the law.
Examples
- The judge reminded him that ignorant of the law is no excuse.
- Even if she didn’t know it was illegal, ignorant of the law is no excuse.
willfully ignorant
1/wˈɪlfəli ˈɪɡnɚənt/
fixed phrase
Deliberately avoiding knowledge
Not knowing something because you choose not to learn about it.
Examples
- She stayed willfully ignorant about the company's unethical practices.
- They are willfully ignorant of the evidence against them.