What does ignored mean?
To ignore something is to give it no attention, consideration, or response. People ignore instructions, warnings, messages, opportunities, problems, or even other people, and the word often suggests a deliberate decision not to acknowledge something important. “Ignored” can also refer to something that was simply overlooked, such as a detail or error, so it does not always imply bad intent. The word is common in both formal and informal English and appears in expressions such as “ignored warnings,” “ignored requests,” and “completely ignored.” In the phrase “ignored warning,” it functions as an adjective describing something that received no attention or respect. Its usefulness lies in highlighting the contrast between something being noticed and something being deliberately—or, less strongly, accidentally—passed over.
To deliberately disregard or refuse to consider someone or something.
"The officials ignored the protesters' demands."
Often implies a conscious failure to acknowledge or respond.
Disregarded, overlooked, or treated as unimportant.
"The publication failed to address the ignored warnings."
This is a participial adjective, usually appearing before a noun or in a passive construction.
To ignore something is to give it no attention at all—though what gets ignored can often become impossible to ignore later.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ignored come from?
“Ignore” comes from Latin ignorare, formed from in-, meaning “not,” and gnoscere, meaning “to get to know” or “recognize.” The literal sense was “not to know or recognize,” and the word developed into the English meaning of disregarding or paying no attention to. Related forms include ignorant, ignorance, and ignoramus, the last of which originally referred to a legal decision that was not made known.
Related word forms
How ignored is actually used
Ignored is neutral to strongly negative. It can imply intentional inattention, although in some contexts it simply means that something escaped notice.
Easily confused with ignored
Ignoring something usually suggests a deliberate failure to consider or respond to it, whereas overlooking it can happen accidentally.
Neglecting something often implies failing to give it proper care or attention, while ignoring it emphasizes consciously disregarding it.