Irregardless vs Regardless | Meaning, Definition & Examples

Irregardless is often used instead of the adverb regardless to mean “despite everything.” It’s typically used as a transition word at the beginning of a sentence to change the topic.

Many dictionaries and other language authorities consider irregardless a nonstandard word, so you should avoid it in academic writing or professional communication.

Examples: Irregardless or regardless in a sentence
Informal writing
Nonstandard (but sometimes accepted): I’m not sure about your advice, but I’m going to follow it irregardless.
Best option: I’m not sure about your advice, but I’m going to follow it regardless.

Formal writing
Not accepted: Irregardless, the organization remains committed to its environmental goals.
Accepted: Regardless, the organization remains committed to its environmental goals.

Regardless of

Regardless is also used as part of the prepositional phrase regardless of (something), which means “without being influenced by” or “careless of.”

It’s never correct to use “irregardless of.”

Examples: Regardless in a sentence
Timothy continued to support his sports team, regardless of their recent losses.

I want to save my cat, regardless of the cost!

Frequently asked questions about irregardless vs regardless

Is irregardless a real word?

Irregardless is sometimes used instead of regardless to mean “despite everything.”

Most dictionaries don’t consider irregardless a standard word, so it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication. However, some language authorities accept the use in informal language.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to fix your mistakes for free.

Is it regardless or irregardless?

Irregardless and regardless are sometimes used interchangeably. However, most dictionaries consider irregardless a nonstandard word, so it should be avoided in professional communication or academic writing. Some language authorities accept the use in informal language.

Both words mean “despite everything.”

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to fix your mistakes for free.

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Julia Merkus, MA

Julia has a bachelor in Dutch language and culture and two masters in Linguistics and Language and speech pathology. After a few years as an editor, researcher, and teacher, she now writes articles about her specialist topics: grammar, linguistics, methodology, and statistics.