How to Pronounce “ignorance”

American (US)

/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/

British (UK)

/ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹəns/

Australian (AU)

/ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹəns/

noun — The condition of being uninformed or uneducated; lack of knowledge or information.

Example: She shows total ignorance about the topic at hand.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “ignorance” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “ignorance” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "ignorance" mean?

ignorance (noun): The condition of being uninformed or uneducated; lack of knowledge or information. For example — She shows total ignorance about the topic at hand.

How do you pronounce "ignorance" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/. British English: /ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹəns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "ignorance"?

/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ in American English, /ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹəns/ in British English, /ˈɪɡ.nə.ɹəns/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ignorance"?

“ignorance” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.