Irregardless or Regardless: Which Word Is Correct?

“Should I write irregardless or regardless?” It is a small question, but it causes a surprising amount of confusion. 

You may hear both words in conversation, see both online, or find both in dictionaries. So, which one should you use?

The short answer is simple: use “regardless” in standard English. It means “despite everything,” “anyway,” or “without being affected by something.” 

Irregardless is also a real word in the sense that dictionaries record it, but it is widely labeled nonstandard.

This difference matters when you write an email, school paper, report, website, or business document. Using the standard form helps you sound clear and professional.

In this guide, we will explain irregardless or regardless, where the words came from, how they are used in American and British English, which form you should choose, and why people still use “irregardless.” 

We will also look at usage patterns, common mistakes, examples, and frequently asked questions.

Irregardless or Regardless  Quick Answer

Regardless is the preferred form in standard English.

It means despite something, anyway, or without regard to something.

Examples:

• We will continue regardless.
• She went outside regardless of the rain.
• He finished the project regardless of the problems.
• Regardless of the cost, they wanted the best option.

Irregardless means the same thing, but major dictionaries label it nonstandard. Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, and Collins all record the word while warning readers about its status.

So, if you are unsure, remember:

Use “regardless” in formal and professional writing.

The Origin of Irregardless or Regardless

The two words have different histories.

Regardless comes from regard, meaning attention, concern, or consideration, plus the suffix -less, meaning “without.” The word has been recorded since the late 1500s. 

Its modern adverbial use developed later.

Irregardless has a more unusual history. It is probably a blend of irrespective and regardless. Both words can express the idea of ignoring a condition or circumstance.

The history is not completely settled. Merriam-Webster gives a first known use of 1847 in its current dictionary entry, while its usage research points to printed evidence from 1795. 

That early example appeared in a Charleston, South Carolina newspaper.

The spelling creates another problem. The prefix ir- often means “not,” while -less means “without.” 

This can make irregardless look like a double negative. That is one reason many writers and editors have rejected it.

Still, language does not always develop in perfectly logical ways. People have used irregardless for centuries, and dictionaries now record it. 

Recording a word, however, does not mean recommending it.

British English vs American English Spelling

There is no major British-versus-American spelling difference between regardless and irregardless.

The key difference is usage and acceptance.

Variation	American English	British English	Formal writing
regardless	Standard	Standard	Recommended
regardless of	Standard	Standard	Recommended
irregardless	Nonstandard	Generally treated as nonstandard/US	Avoid
irrespective	Standard	Standard	Recommended
irrespective of	Standard	Standard	Recommended

Cambridge marks irregardless as US, not standard, while Collins also identifies it as a US nonstandard form.

So the issue is not really British spelling vs American spelling. It is mainly standard English vs nonstandard usage.

Comparison Table: Irregardless vs Regardless

Word	Meaning	Status	Best use
Regardless	Despite something; anyway	Standard	All types of writing
Regardless of	Despite or without regard to	Standard	Formal and informal writing
Irregardless	Same basic meaning as regardless	Nonstandard	Avoid in formal writing
Irrespective	Without considering something	Standard	Formal writing
Irrespective of	Without regard to	Standard	Formal writing

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Your safest choice is regardless.

For US English

Use regardless in school, business, journalism, academic writing, and professional communication.

Example:

The meeting will continue regardless of the weather.

Avoid:

The meeting will continue irregardless of the weather.

For UK and Commonwealth English

Use regardless as well.

British and Commonwealth readers may understand irregardless, but it can sound nonstandard or American. Collins lists it as a US nonstandard form.

For global English

If your audience is international, regardless is the best choice.

It is short, clear, widely accepted, and unlikely to distract readers.

For creative or humorous writing

There can be a reason to use irregardless in dialogue or humor. A writer may use it to show a character’s speech or create a deliberate informal tone.

But that is different from using it by accident.

Common Mistakes with Irregardless or Regardless

Mistake 1: Using “irregardless” in formal writing

Incorrect for standard formal style:

Irregardless of the results, we will continue.

Better:

Regardless of the results, we will continue.

Mistake 2: Thinking “irregardless” is not a word at all

This is more complicated.

Dictionaries do recognize irregardless. Merriam-Webster defines it as a synonym of regardless, but labels it nonstandard.

So it is better to say:

“Irregardless is a nonstandard word.”

Rather than:

“Irregardless is not a word.”

Mistake 3: Using “regardless” without understanding the meaning

Regardless means that something does not change the decision or result.

We will go regardless of the weather.

This means the weather will not stop us.

Mistake 4: Confusing “regardless” with “irrespective”

These words are often interchangeable.

Regardless of the cost, we bought it.

Irrespective of the cost, we bought it.

Both sentences are standard.

Mistake 5: Writing “regardless to”

The usual construction is regardless of.

Better:

Regardless of what happens, stay calm.

Not:

Regardless to what happens, stay calm.

Irregardless or Regardless in Everyday Examples

In emails

Professional:

Regardless of the delay, we will send the report today.

In news writing

Standard:

The team continued regardless of the difficult conditions.

News and professional writing generally favors the standard form because it avoids distracting readers.

On social media

You may see:

Irregardless of what people say, I am going.

This is understandable, but regardless would be the safer choice:

Regardless of what people say, I am going.

In formal writing

Use:

The policy applies regardless of age, location, or experience.

You can also use irrespective of:

The policy applies irrespective of age, location, or experience.

In everyday speech

You may hear irregardless, especially in informal American speech. Its use does not necessarily prevent understanding. 

However, it can still attract criticism because many speakers consider it nonstandard.

Irregardless or Regardless  Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest and language use are not the same thing.

People often search “irregardless or regardless” because they have seen both forms and want to know which one is correct. 

The search itself reflects the long-running debate around the word.

Dictionary evidence shows a clear usage pattern: regardless is the standard form, while irregardless is mainly associated with nonstandard or informal usage. 

Cambridge specifically labels irregardless “US not standard,” while Collins identifies it as a US nonstandard variant.

The word also has a strong North American history. Historical research traces printed examples to the United States, including a 1795 example from South Carolina.

What the usage data tells us

• Regardless has broad standard use across English varieties.
• Irregardless is strongly associated with North American English.
• Dictionaries record irregardless, but major references mark it as nonstandard.
• Formal editors generally prefer regardless.
• Searches for the two-word query often come from people checking grammar or word choice.

For exact Google Trends numbers, results can change by date, country, and search category. Google Trends also measures search interest, not the number of people who actually use a word. Therefore, it is better not to treat a Trends score as proof that one word is grammatically correct.

FAQs About Irregardless or Regardless

Is “irregardless” a real word?

Yes. Major dictionaries include it. However, it is usually labeled nonstandard, so it is best avoided in formal writing.

Is “regardless” correct?

Yes. Regardless is the standard and preferred word.

Regardless of the cost, we will finish the project.

Does “irregardless” mean the same as “regardless”?

Yes. In modern usage, irregardless means essentially the same thing as regardless.

Is “irregardless” grammatically correct?

It is recognized as a word, but it is nonstandard. For formal or professional writing, use regardless instead.

Is “irregardless” American or British?

It is mainly associated with American English. Cambridge labels it “US not standard,” and Collins also identifies it as a US nonstandard form.

Can I use “irregardless” in an essay?

It is better not to. Teachers, editors, and professional readers may consider it an error or poor word choice. Use regardless.

What is the difference between “regardless” and “irrespective”?

They have very similar meanings.

Regardless of the price, she bought it.

Irrespective of the price, she bought it.

Both are standard English.

Conclusion

When choosing between irregardless or regardless, the best answer is simple: choose regardless.

Regardless is the standard form. It means “despite something,” “anyway,” or “without regard to something.” 

It works well in everyday speech, business emails, academic writing, news reports, and professional documents.

Irregardless is more complicated. It is a real, recorded word with a long history, but major dictionaries label it nonstandard. 

It is probably a blend of irrespective and regardless, and its unusual structure has caused criticism for generations.

You may hear or see irregardless, especially in informal American English. That does not mean you should use it in formal writing.

If your goal is clear, professional English, there is no need to take the risk. Write regardless, especially in the phrase regardless of.

In short:

Standard: regardless
Nonstandard: irregardless
Best professional choice: regardless