What is the difference between the words REGARDLESS and IRREGARDLESS?

Answer 1

Well, I have looked it up and it says that they have the same meaning but irreguardless is not in standard use.

Answer 2

Irregardless is either a combination of in + regardless (which would mean "not regardless") or a portmanteau of irrespective + regardless. I've heard both. It's used to mean the same thing as regardless. Just always use regardless. To anyone who says irregardless isn't a word because it's made up, this might come as a shock to you, but all words are made up.

Answer 3

It a double negative of sorts. A word ending in "less: means without. A word beginning with "ir" means without. So regardless is the more proper word.
Here's what the American Heritage Dictionary says:
Usage Note: Irregardless is a word that many mistakenly believe to be correct usage in formal style, when in fact it is used chiefly in nonstandard speech or casual writing. Coined in the United States in the early 20th century, it has met with a blizzard of condemnation for being an improper yoking of irrespective and regardless and for the logical absurdity of combining the negative ir- prefix and -less suffix in a single term. Although one might reasonably argue that it is no different from words with redundant affixes like debone and unravel, it has been considered a blunder for decades and will probably continue to be so.
-MM

Answer 4

IRREGARDLESS is considered a word in the dictionary only because people have used it recently. But in fact it is wrong:

Irregardless is a word that many mistakenly believe to be correct usage in formal style, when in fact it is used chiefly in nonstandard speech or casual writing. Coined in the United States in the early 20th century, it has met with a blizzard of condemnation for being an improper yoking of irrespective and regardless and for the logical absurdity of combining the negative ir- prefix and -less suffix in a single term. Although one might reasonably argue that it is no different from words with redundant affixes like debone and unravel, it has been considered a blunder for decades and will probably continue to be so.

Answer 5

Nothing, they mean the same thing.

Quote:
"Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less
Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&s
Function: adverb
Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless
nonstandard : REGARDLESS
usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead. "

Answer 6

Irregardless is a double negative. It's like saying it's not regardless which essentially means that it is with regards. Hope that helps.

Answer 7

"Irregardless" is not a word, and if it was, would mean "regarding" since the "ir" would cancel out the "less" (double negative). It comes, I think, from confusing the words, or tripping over one's tongue trying to say "regardless" and "irrespective", both of which mean the same thing ("discounting" or "notwithstanding").

Answer 8

irregardless is not really a standard word, and most people who use it manage to use it incorrectly. irregardless contains a double negative within itself (ir + less) so it cancels itself out, and generally means "with regard to."

Answer 9

They are synonymous. If you look up one's meaning, the other word is listed as its definition.

Irrigardless is probably blend of irrespective and regardless. Irrespective is also a synonym of regardless and irregardless.

Also, irrigardless is used in humor or exasperation most of the time.

Answer 10

The difference is that I don't think irregardless is even a word....! I could be wrong 'tho...

Answer 11

To me, irregardless is redundant-I dislike it and never use it.