ignorance

Definitions

From Latin ignōrāre = in- ('not', here assimilated to ig-) + gnōscere ('to know'). So ignorance is literally 'not-knowing-ness.' This 'ign' belongs to the knowledge branch (cousin of know, cognition), NOT to malignant. 'Willful ignorance' is chosen not-knowing; 'ignorance of the law' is simply not being aware of it.

Why It Means This

Worth separating from a common myth: ignorance is not the same as stupidity. Stupidity is an inability to learn; ignorance is simply not yet knowing — a state any expert is in outside their field. The word carries blame only when the not-knowing is willful or careless.

Common Collocations

• 1.willful ignorance故意无知
• 2.blissful ignorance幸福的无知
• 3.ignorance of对……不知情
• 4.out of ignorance出于无知

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Out of sheer ignorance, he signed the contract without reading it.

• 2.

  Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

• 3.

  She remained in blissful ignorance of the bad news.

Easily Confused

ignorance vs stupidity — ignorance is lack of knowledge (curable by learning); stupidity is lack of intelligence. Calling someone ignorant about a topic is far milder than calling them stupid. ignore vs neglect — to ignore is to deliberately take no notice; to neglect is to fail in a duty of care.