/ˌɪˈɡnɔɹz/
Say it backIg nores is a verb form meaning to refuse to pay attention to something or someone, often implying deliberate disregard. It typically appears in present tense with third-person singular agreement (he/she/it ignores) and in constructions like 'they ignore' or 'you ignore.' In use, it signals selective attention rather than lack of awareness, and it can convey judgment, dismissal, or indifference depending on context.
"She ignores the loud chatter in the back of the room and focuses on her notes."
"If you keep ignoring the warning signs, you may regret it later."
"The policy ignores edge cases, which has frustrated several stakeholders."
Pronounce as ig-NORES with the second syllable stressed. IPA US: ɪɡˈnɔːrz. UK: ɪɡˈnɔːz. In many speakers, the final z is devoiced to s sound before voiceless consonants; in careful speech you’ll hear /z/ as a voiced sound. Practice by starting with a short /ɪ/ in first syllable, then move to the long, rounded /ɔː/ in the second, ending with /rz/ or /rz̥/ depending on subtle voicing. Mouth position: start with a relaxed, slightly closed front vowel for /ɪ/, drop the jaw for /ɔː/, bring the tongue to the alveolar ridge for /n/, and finish with a voiced alveolar sibilant /z/.”,
Common errors: a) misplacing stress by saying ig-NORES with first syllable stress; correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable /ˈnoːrz/ or /ˈnɔːz/. b) pronouncing the /g/ as a hard g with a strong release causing /ɡn/ blend; correction: keep a light tongue contact and a quick glide into /n/ to form /ɡn/ smoothly. c) voicing of final /z/ turning into /s/ in rapid speech; correction: maintain vocal fold vibration for /z/ or intentionally devoice after voiceless segments only in appropriate contexts.”,
In US, /ɪɡˈnɔːrz/ with rhotic /ɹ/ in the r-colored vowel can influence the preceding vowel; in UK, /ɪɡˈnɔːz/ with non-rhoticity often makes /ɹ/ absent and the ending more hissed; in Australian, /ɪɡˈnɔːz/ with slight vowel flattening and a clear /z/; the main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in /ɔː/. In careful speech, US and UK both maintain /ˈnɔː/ with length but US may have stronger rhotic companion; Australians often have a clipped /ɪɡ/ and a broader /ɔː/.”,
The difficulty stems from the consonant cluster /ɡn/ blending after /ɪ/ and the long /ɔː/ vowel, which requires precise tongue positioning to avoid inserting a separate syllable. The final /z/ voicing can drift toward a voiceless /s/ in fast speech, changing the sound. Additionally, the mass of similar words (ignores vs ignores) and the need to maintain second-syllable stress in rapid speech challenge non-native speakers who may default to /ɪɡˈɪnz/ or misplace the stress.”,
Ign ores features a metrical second syllable with a closed onset (/gn/). The /gn/ blend is less common and can feel awkward when transitioning from an open syllable to a dense consonant cluster. Practicing a light release into /n/ helps keep the second syllable clean. Visualize spelling for cue: ig-NORES, then whisper the /ɡ/ lightly to avoid an extra syllable. Pay attention to voicing on /z/ for natural cadence.
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Ignore comes from the Middle French ignorer, itself from the Old French ignorier, from the Latin ignorare ‘to be unaware, to not know.’ The root is ig-nor- from Latin ignōrāre (to be ignorant of, not to know). The English form first appeared in the 16th century, originally carrying the sense of “to be ignorant of” or “to refuse to recognize.” Over time, the meaning broadened to include deliberate disregard and dismissal, as in ignoring someone’s advice or a rule. The present-tense third-person singular form ignores emerged as a standard English verb ending -s in the late Middle/early Modern English period, aligning with subject-verb agreement in the third person. The evolution reflects shifting attitudes toward awareness, attention, and social signaling—ignoring became a nuanced action rather than mere ignorance, often carrying intentionality in interpersonal communication.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "ignores" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "ignores"
-res sounds
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