disregard - Master This Word

disregard Word Meanings

• to ignore or pay no attention to something
• the act of ignoring something
• a lack of consideration for something

disregard Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• Please disregard my last message.
• He chose to disregard the warning signs.
• Do not disregard other people's feelings.
• I will disregard the noise and focus.
• She asked him to disregard her mistake.

disregard Word Etymology

dis- = apart, regard = to look at. Latin → Old French → English. Imagine someone turning away, looking away from someone or something, emphasizing that they are not considering it.

Real Context

Disregard means to ignore or pay no attention to something, often with a sense of deliberate nonchalance. It can be a verb, as in 'to disregard the warning,' or a noun, as in 'a disregard for safety.' The term emphasizes choosing not to consider or value something that others think should be noticed. It tends to carry a harsher or more negative tone than simply ignoring, implying a judgment that the thing being disregarded is unworthy of attention. In practice, you might disregard rules, signs, or advice, but you can also feel or express disregard in attitudes or written statements. Careful with context, because tone matters.

Usage Reminders

• Remember: disregard is more formal and harsher than ignore.
• Use with for/of depending on the object: disregard for safety, disregard of guidelines.
• Typically applied to rules, warnings, or practices, not people.
• Can be used actively or passively: the policy was disregarded.
• Pair with adverbs like total, complete, or extreme for emphasis.

Common Misconceptions

• Disregard is exactly the same as ignore; they are interchangeable in all contexts.
• It can be used to describe behavior toward people directly and personally.
• It always carries a negative, harsh tone in everyday conversation.
• You should use disregard whenever you want to be polite or neutral.
• Disregard only collocates with rules and warnings.

Thinking Differences

In English, disregard often conveys a conscious choice to push aside information that should be noticed, with a formal or critical tone. Learners may overuse it with people or treat it as interchangeable with ignore. English also patterns disregard with 'for' or 'of' depending on the noun (disregard for safety vs disregard of guidelines). Common mistakes include applying it to casual or polite contexts and confusing the noun form with phrases like 'disregard by' in passive voice.

Learning Tips

• Learn key collocations: disregard for safety, disregard of guidelines.
• Compare with ignore to spot tone differences (formal vs neutral).
• Practice passive forms: the policy was disregarded.
• Use intensifiers: total, complete, or extreme disregard for emphasis.
• Note when it matters: it is not used for casual, everyday talking about people.
• Watch for prepositions: for vs of depend on the noun.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

Related Listening

🔥 Advanced

🔥 Advanced

A Breath of Reflection

English Learning Listening Content

2025.08.02 · 5:42 · B2

Listen Now