How to pronounce ignorant
Say it like IG-nuh-runt. Ignorant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ignorant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IG
- nuh
- runt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ignorant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- runtKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ignorant
American and British speakers say ignorant in essentially the same way: /ˈɪɡnərənt/ in the US and /ˈɪɡnərənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IG-nuh-runt.
What does ignorant mean?
- uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication“an ignorant man”“nescient of contemporary literature”
- uneducated in the fundamentals of a given art or branch of learning; lacking knowledge of a specific field“she is ignorant of quantum mechanics”“he is musically illiterate”
- unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge“he was completely ignorant of the circumstances”“an unknowledgeable assistant”
Where does ignorant come from?
From Old French ignorant, from Latin ignōrāns (“unaware, unknowing”).
Questions about saying ignorant
How do you pronounce ignorant?
Say IG-nuh-runt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪɡnərənt/. In British English it is /ˈɪɡnərənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ignorant?
Ignorant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IG). Broken into parts: IG · nuh · runt.
Do Americans and Brits say ignorant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪɡnərənt/ and the British form is /ˈɪɡnərənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.