Regardless vs. Irregardless
“Regardless” is the standard form meaning without regard to circumstances. “Irregardless” is an attested nonstandard form, especially associated with US usage; it has the same intended meaning, so an authority guide should label its register accurately rather than deny that the form is genuinely attested.
Use “regardless” in standard edited English. “Irregardless” is documented and understood with the same meaning, but Cambridge labels it US nonstandard and American Heritage treats it as nonstandard rather than unattested.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Goal | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard edited English | regardless | Standard form in reviewed dictionaries |
| Understand informal/nonstandard usage | irregardless | Attested nonstandard form meaning regardless |
Do not interpret “nonstandard” as “unattested” or “meaningless.”
Quick tests
Standard-register test
Are you choosing a form for standard edited English?
If yes: Use “regardless.”
If no: Recognize that “irregardless” is attested nonstandard usage meaning the same thing.
Caveat: This diagnostic describes register/standardness. It is not a claim that speakers who use “irregardless” cannot be understood.
Examples
We continued regardless of the rain.
Regardless is the standard choice.
Irregardless, they continued.
This is interpretable attested nonstandard usage; standard edited English normally uses “regardless.”
Usage notes
Documented nonstandard usage; avoid labeling it globally nonexistent or meaningless.
Cambridge marks the form as US nonstandard.
Further guidance
Irregardless
Irregardless is attested in real English and means regardless, but the reviewed dictionaries label it nonstandard.
Regardless
Regardless is the standard adverb meaning without being affected by or taking account of something.
Usage Boundary
The useful distinction is standardness/register, not “real word” versus “not a word.” Writers targeting standard edited English should normally choose regardless.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Regardless — meaning and usage (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Standard regardless meaning and usage
- Irregardless — usage label (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · US nonstandard label and meaning
- Irregardless — usage note (opens in a new tab)American Heritage Dictionary · Attested nonstandard status and standard-English boundary