WordGarden.iocareless
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈeələs/
US
- /ˈkɛrləs/
Meanings
Adjective
not giving enough attention or thought to avoid mistakes or harm
casually unconcerned or indifferent
Beyond the definition
Imagine a child building a tower of blocks, rushing without carefully stacking each one. That's being careless – acting without enough thought or attention. It doesn't necessarily mean intentionally causing harm, but rather failing to take the necessary precautions. You might be careless with your belongings, leaving them scattered around, or careless with your words, saying something you regret. A careless driver isn't trying to crash; they're simply not paying close enough attention to the road. Sometimes carelessness is a minor annoyance, like misplacing your keys or leaving a light on. Other times, it can have serious consequences.
To be careless means lacking proper attention or consideration – acting without due caution. It's more than just forgetfulness; it suggests too little concern for potential consequences. The word also implies a lack of thoroughness and a tendency to overlook details.
Carelessness manifests in many ways. You might describe someone as careless if they frequently make mistakes, are disorganized, or don't take enough care with what they do. A careless remark could be hurtful without the speaker realizing it. A careless mistake at work could lead to errors and delays.
The context often dictates the severity of being "careless." Leaving a light on is mildly careless; leaving a baby unattended is profoundly so. It's important to distinguish carelessness from deliberate recklessness – while both involve risk, carelessness stems from inattention, whereas recklessness involves knowing the risks but disregarding them anyway.
Historically, "careless" comes from being "without care," meaning lacking concern or responsibility. This root highlights that, at its core, carelessness is about a deficiency in attentiveness and consideration for oneself or others. So, whether it's a forgotten appointment or a risky maneuver, to be careless is to act without the necessary level of thought and attention.
Examples
- 1
Home security
He was careless and left the front door unlocked.
- 2
Traffic safety
A careless driver nearly hit my bike at the crossing.
- 3
Report mistake
One careless mistake in the report changed all the numbers.
- 4
Meeting remark
A careless remark during the meeting upset several people.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Money habits
She's a little careless with money and often buys things she doesn't need.
- Patterncareless with + thing
not using or handling it carefully
- 6
Worker safety
The company was criticized for being careless about worker safety.
- Patterncareless about + issue
not giving it enough attention because it does not seem important to you
- 7
Social tone
I didn't mean to sound rude, but my reply came across as cold and careless.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- careless mistake
- careless driving
- careless with money
- careless of the consequences
Word family
Explore
- attention to detail
- responsibility
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- carelessadjective