ignoratio elenchi

/ˌɪɡ.nəˈɹeɪ.ʃiˌoʊ ɪˈlɛŋ.kaɪ//ˌɪɡ.nəˈɹɑ.tiˌoʊ//ɪˈlɛŋ.ki/

noun

The fallacy of presenting an argument that may or may not be logically valid, but fails to address the issue in question.

Similar
heterozetesisirrelevant conclusionmissing the point
OriginLatin ignōrātiō elenchī →
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Meanings

nounignoratio elenchi (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe fallacy of presenting an argument that may or may not be logically valid, but fails to address the issue in question.

    Synonyms: heterozetesis, irrelevant conclusion, missing the point

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe fallacy of presenting an argument that may or may not be logically valid, but fails to address the issue in question.

Similar
heterozetesisirrelevant conclusionmissing the point

Origin

  1. Latinignōrātiō elenchī“ignorance of the refutation”
  2. Englishignoratio elenchi

From Latin ignōrātiō elenchī (“ignorance of the refutation”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

ignoratio elenchi. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ignoratio%20elenchi

MLA

“ignoratio elenchi.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ignoratio%20elenchi. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ignoratio elenchi,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ignoratio%20elenchi.

Source: ignoratio elenchi on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.