regardless meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

regardless

adv

US /ɹɪˈɡɑɹd.lɪs/ · UK /ɹɪˈɡɑːd.lɪs/

Etymology From regard + -less.

Without attention to warnings or indications of bad consequences.

Tatiana knew the meat had passed its expiry date, but she ate it regardless.
The other legend named Le Lutin tells how seven little boys, regardless of the warnings of their old grandmother, would go out at night on various affairs.1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 470:

Anyway; irrespective of what has just been said.

The proposal may become law, or it may not. Regardless, we will adopt it as a club rule.

Synonyms: after all, algate, always, any road up, anyhoo, anyhow, anyroad, anyway, anyways, anywise, anywho, at all events, at any rate, be it what it would, come what may, hab or nab, however, in any case, in any event, regardless
Antonyms: attentively, carefully, circumspectly, gingerly
Related terms: thus, nevertheless

adj

Etymology From regard + -less.

Paying no attention to; ignoring.

Hippolita, ſcarce more alive than her daughter, was regardleſs of every thing but her: but when the tender Iſabella’s care would have likewiſe removed her, while the ſurgeons examined Matilda’s wound, ſhe cried, remove me! never! never! I lived but in her, and will expire with her.1764 December 24 (indicated as 1765), Onuphrio Muralto, translated by William Marshal [pseudonyms; Horace Walpole], chapter V, in The Castle of Otranto, […], London: […] Tho[mas] Lownds […], →OCLC, pages 190–191:
The beloved “oof” sound Roblox players — and gamers regardless of what they play — has become a huge meme in the community.2022 July 27, Eleni Thomas, “Roblox is removing iconic “oof” sound after copyright issues”, in Dexerto, archived from the original on 29 Sep 2022:

Taking insufficient regard of; heedless; careless.

Always deceived in fact by his own wishes, and regardless of little besides his own convenience.1815 December (indicated as 1816), [Jane Austen], chapter XV, in Emma: […], volume III, London: […] [Charles Roworth and James Moyes] for John Murray, →OCLC, page 279:
I grew, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others.1843, Edgar Allan Poe, The Black Cat:

prep

Etymology From regard + -less.

Proscribed Synonym of regardless of; paying no attention to.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.