IRREGARDLESS Definition & Meaning

irregardless

[ ir-i-gahrd-lis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

Nonstandard.

regardless.

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Usage Note

Some people use Irregardless to mean the same thing as regardless, but it is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of irregardless¹

1910–15; ir- ² (probably after irrespective ) + regardless

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Compare Meanings

How does irregardless compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

irregardless vs. regardless

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Here are some words in Lydia Davis’ new collection of stories, “Our Strangers,” that she finds particularly interesting: “bibelot,” “egg,” “acknowledgment,” “fun,” “obnoxious,” “crepey,” “irregardless.”

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The That’s Not a 51�Թ�! brigade is still very much with us, I’m both amused and bemused to report; witness their perpetual dyspepsia over words such as “irregardless.”

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Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, a Republican, challenged the slate of electors from Pennsylvania on Jan. 6, 2021, claiming that the state’s lawmakers had passed Act 77 “irregardless of what the Pennsylvania Constitution said.”

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The most annoying misused word is “irregardless,” a mistaken form of “regardless.”

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But the reality is that, irregardless of its rewards, sport is a phenomenally taxing endeavour, confiscating youth, anonymity and family time– a privilege, yes, but also a pain.

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irreg.irregular

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