Yes. It may not be a word that you like, or a word that you would use in a term paper, but irregardless certainly is a word. It has been in use for almost 200 years, and is employed by a large number of people across a wide geographic range and with a consistent meaning. That is why we, and well-nigh every other dictionary of modern English, define this word. Remember that a definition is not an endorsement of a word’s use.
Does irregardless mean the same thing as regardless?
Yes. We define irregardless as "regardless." Many people find irregardless to be a nonsensical word, as the ir- prefix usually functions to indicate negation; however, in this case it appears to function as an intensifier. Similar ir- words, while rare, do exist in English, including irremediless ("remediless"), irresistless ("resistless"), and irrelentlessly ("relentlessly").
Is irregardless slang?
We label irregardless as “nonstandard” rather than “slang.” When a word is nonstandard it means it is “not conforming in pronunciation, grammatical construction, idiom, or word choice to the usage generally characteristic of educated native speakers of a language.” Irregardless is a long way from winning general acceptance as a standard English word. For that reason, it is best to use regardless instead.
Adverb
the weather looked bad, but they were resolved to go on with their picnic regardless
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Adverb
Ideally, of course, the team could deliver that same brand of basketball regardless.—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025 Powell’s term as chairman is up next year regardless.—The Editors, National Review, 22 Apr. 2025 Some might suggest that these delusions of grandeur are designed to tranquilize the nervous masses; regardless, the public obviously craves them.—Lauren Stienstra, Time, 17 Apr. 2025 So, while the teenager may not actually claim the Conn Smythe Trophy and cash that nice bonus this spring, he’s already scored a win regardless.—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for regardless
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