Ignore vs. Disregard – Which is Correct?

While often used interchangeably, ignore and disregard carry distinct nuances in meaning. Ignore implies an intentional act of not paying attention or refusing to acknowledge something, often despite its presence. Disregard, on the other hand, means to dismiss something as unimportant, irrelevant, or unworthy of consideration, often leading to a failure to take it into account.

Ignore or Disregard – Which is Correct?

Both “ignore” and “disregard” are correct and widely used in American English, but they describe different types of inattention or dismissal. The core difference lies in the nature of the action. To ignore is to deliberately choose not to perceive or respond to something that is present. It’s an active refusal of engagement. To disregard is to consider something as unworthy of attention or concern, thereby failing to take it into account. It often implies a judgment of unimportance or a lack of concern for consequences.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of it this way: You ignore a noisy neighbor’s music if you hear it but deliberately choose not to react. You disregard a neighbor’s request if you judge it as unreasonable or trivial and therefore don’t act upon it. The “I” in ignore can remind you of Intentional lack of attention, while disregard suggests Dismissing something as unimportant.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Ignore	Verb	To intentionally pay no attention to; to refuse to take notice of.	She decided to ignore the rude comment and continue with her presentation.
Disregard	Verb, Noun	To pay no attention to; to treat as unworthy of consideration; to dismiss as unimportant.	The driver showed a complete disregard for the speed limit.

How to Use Ignore

To “ignore” means to deliberately choose not to perceive or respond to something. It implies an active decision to withhold attention or acknowledgment, even if the thing being ignored is apparent or present. This can be done to avoid conflict, maintain focus, or express disapproval. “Ignore” is typically used as a verb and can apply to people, sounds, advice, or facts.

Example 1: Despite the loud music from next door, she tried to ignore it and concentrate on her studies.

Example 2: He chose to ignore the warning signs, leading to unexpected problems.

Example 3: If you ignore a problem, it often doesn’t go away on its own.

What are the different forms of ignore?

“Ignore” is a regular verb. Its forms are straightforward:

• Base form: ignore
• Past simple: ignored
• Past participle: ignored
• Present participle: ignoring
• Third-person singular present: ignores

Etymology of the word ignore

The word “ignore” comes from the French ignorer, meaning “not to know,” and ultimately from the Latin ignorare, “not to know, to be unacquainted with.” It was first used in English in the early 17th century, initially meaning “to be ignorant of.” The modern sense of “to deliberately take no notice of” developed later, around the 18th century.

How to Use Disregard

“Disregard” means to pay no attention to something because you consider it unimportant, irrelevant, or unworthy of consideration. It implies a judgment or a lack of concern, often leading to a failure to take something into account. While “ignore” is about a deliberate refusal to perceive, “disregard” is more about a failure to consider or value. It can be used as both a verb and a noun.

Example 1: The committee decided to disregard his suggestions, finding them impractical.

Example 2: His casual disregard for safety regulations resulted in a serious accident.

Example 3: Please do not disregard the instructions on the package; they are crucial for proper assembly.

What are the different forms of disregard?

“Disregard” functions as both a regular verb and a noun:

• Verb (Base form): disregard
• Verb (Past simple): disregarded
• Verb (Past participle): disregarded
• Verb (Present participle): disregarding
• Verb (Third-person singular present): disregards
• Noun (Singular): disregard
• Noun (Plural): disregards (less common, usually refers to instances of disregard)

Etymology of the word disregard

The word “disregard” entered English in the late 16th century. It is formed from the prefix “dis-” (meaning “not” or “opposite of”) and “regard” (meaning “to look at, consider”). Therefore, “disregard” literally means “not to regard” or “to not look at with consideration.”

Related Concepts

Understanding broader linguistic concepts can help clarify the subtle differences between words like “ignore” and “disregard.”

• Intent vs. Effect: Ignore often highlights the intent of not paying attention, while disregard frequently emphasizes the effect of treating something as unimportant, whether intentionally or through carelessness.
• Active vs. Passive Inattention: Ignore is an active choice to not engage. Disregard can be active (choosing to dismiss) or more passive (failing to consider due to perceived unimportance).

Examples from Media and Literature

• “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you have failed by default.” – J.K. Rowling. Here, living cautiously might involve trying to ignore potential failures, but ultimately you disregard the value of experience.
• “Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe that it’s enough.” – Robert Heller. This advises against actively choosing to neglect intuition.
• “One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision.” – Bertrand Russell. Often, people disregard complex truths in favor of simple, albeit flawed, certainties.
• In news reports discussing climate change, some politicians are accused of “disregarding scientific consensus,” implying they consider the findings unimportant or invalid, rather than simply choosing to ignore the existence of the reports.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The child tried to (ignore / disregard) her mother’s repeated calls to come inside.
2. He showed complete (ignore / disregard) for the rules of the game, leading to his disqualification.
3. It’s unwise to (ignore / disregard) the advice of an experienced mentor.
4. Despite the loud siren, the man seemed to (ignore / disregard) it and continued walking.
5. Her casual (ignore / disregard) for punctuality often frustrated her colleagues.

Answer Key

1. ignore
2. disregard
3. disregard
4. ignore
5. disregard

Ignore Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Bypass	To go past or around; to avoid.
Overlook	To fail to notice or consider something; to intentionally not pay attention.
Shun	To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution.
Tune out	To stop paying attention to something or someone.
Snub	To rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully.

Disregard Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Dismiss	To treat as unworthy of serious consideration.
Overlook	To fail to notice or consider something; to intentionally not pay attention (can overlap with ignore).
Neglect	To fail to care for properly; to pay no attention to.
Discount	To regard (a possibility, fact, or feeling) as being unworthy of consideration because it lacks credibility.
Flout	To openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention).

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I use “ignore” and “disregard” interchangeably?
No, while they both involve a lack of attention, their nuances differ. “Ignore” implies a deliberate choice not to pay attention to something present, while “disregard” means to dismiss something as unimportant or irrelevant, often leading to a failure to consider it.

Question 2: Which word implies more responsibility or blame?
“Disregard” often carries a stronger implication of irresponsibility or blame, especially when it refers to rules, warnings, or consequences. To “disregard” safety protocols, for example, suggests a failure to take them seriously, which can lead to negative outcomes. “Ignore” can sometimes be a neutral or even positive act (e.g., ignoring distractions).

Question 3: Is “disregard” always negative?
While often used in negative contexts (e.g., “disregard for safety”), “disregard” can also be neutral or even positive when it means to set aside something for good reason. For instance, a judge might “disregard” a piece of evidence deemed inadmissible. However, in common usage, it frequently implies a failure to give due consideration.

Conclusion

Understanding the subtle yet significant differences between “ignore” and “disregard” enhances the precision of your communication. While ignore describes the active choice to withhold attention from something, disregard speaks to the act of deeming something unworthy of consideration, often with implications of carelessness or dismissal. Mastering these distinctions allows you to convey intent and consequence more accurately in your writing and speech.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, consider the underlying reason for the lack of attention. If it’s a deliberate act of not perceiving, use “ignore.” If it’s a judgment of unimportance leading to a failure to consider, use “disregard.” This clarity reflects professionalism and a strong command of the English language.