The term “irregardlessly” is not recognized as a standard word in the English language. It is generally considered a nonstandard or incorrect formation based on existing words and grammatical conventions. To understand why, it is helpful to examine similar words and the roots involved.
The word “regardless” is an adverb meaning “without paying attention to or considering” or “anyway.” It is derived from the adjective “regard,” which means “consideration” or “attention,” with the prefix “ir-” (meaning “not”) and the suffix “-less” (meaning “without”). The correct formation of the adverb from “regard” is “regardless,” which functions as an adverb meaning “in any case” or “nevertheless.”
In English, the adverb “regardless” is used to indicate that something is true or applies despite other considerations. For example: “She went to the party regardless of the weather.” The word “regardless” is well-established and widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.
The supposed variant “irregardlessly” appears to be an attempt to combine “ir-” (not), “regard” (consideration), and the suffix “-less,” similar to “regardless.” However, this construction is not standard English, and dictionaries do not recognize it as a legitimate word. It is considered a nonce or inventive formation rather than a proper term.
Some speakers or writers may occasionally use “irregardlessly” in informal speech or writing, perhaps intending to emphasize “not regard” or “without regard” in a more emphatic way. Nonetheless, such usage is nonstandard and may be viewed as incorrect or stylistically awkward. The proper and accepted adverb is “regardless.”
In summary, “irregardlessly” is not a recognized word in standard English. It is a nonstandard, non-dictionary term that results from an unnecessary and grammatically inconsistent combination of morphemes. For clarity and correctness, one should use “regardless” when intending to express “without regard” or “nevertheless.”