regardless: a nonstandard var. often used for humorous effect
adverb
Irregardless is defined as a nonstandard way of saying regardless, which means anyway.
An example of irregardless is saying you're going to a party even if your spouse doesn't go.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2018 by LoveToKnow Corp
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"irregardless." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless>.
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irregardless. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless
irregardless
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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MLA Style
"irregardless." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless>.
APA Style
irregardless. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless
irregardless
adverb
NonstandardRegardless.
Origin of irregardless
Probably blend of irrespective (of) regardlessUsage Note: Irregardless is a word that many people mistakenly believe to be correct in formal style, when in fact it is used chiefly in nonstandard speech or casual writing. The word was coined in the United States in the early 1900s, presumably from a blend of irrespective and regardless. Many critics have complained that it is a redundancy, the negative prefix ir- duplicating the negativity of the -less suffix. Perhaps its reputation as a blend of ill-fitting parts has caused some to insist that it is a “nonword,” a charge they would not think of leveling at a nonstandard word with a longer history, such as ain't. Since people use irregardless, it is undoubtedly a word in the broader sense of the language, but it has never been accepted in Standard English and is virtually always changed by copyeditors to regardless. The Usage Panel has roundly disapproved of its use since polling began; in 2012, 90 percent found the sentence A scientist investigating a social issue should seek to find out the truth, irregardless of its political implications to be unacceptable.
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Cite this page
MLA Style
"irregardless." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless>.
APA Style
irregardless. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless
Usage notes
- Although well attested, this term is widely regarded as a nonstandard and incorrect. Its use is discouraged by many speakers, who consider it inappropriate in virtually any formal setting, except quoted dialog.
Origin
Probably a blend of irrespective and regardless ; surface analysis is ir- + regardless.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"irregardless." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless>.
APA Style
irregardless. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/irregardless
Sentence Examples
- Irregardless of the reasons behind the increase in young voter turnout, the higher numbers are a good thing.
Also Mentioned In
WORDS NEAR irregardless IN THE DICTIONARY
- irregardless
- irregeneracy
- irregeneration
- irregible