careless
Americanadjective
-
not paying enough attention to what one does.
a careless typist.
- Synonyms:
- reckless, indiscreet, unwary, incautious, inattentive
- Antonyms:
- careful
-
not exact, accurate, or thorough.
careless work.
- Synonyms:
- negligent, inaccurate
- Antonyms:
- careful
-
done or said heedlessly or negligently; unconsidered.
a careless remark.
- Synonyms:
- unmindful, unthoughtful
- Antonyms:
- careful
-
not caring or troubling; having no care or concern; unconcerned (usually followed by of, about, orin ).
careless of the rights of others;
careless about one's behavior;
careless in speech.
- Synonyms:
- inconsiderate, forgetful, thoughtless
- Antonyms:
- careful
-
possessed or caused without effort or art; unstudied.
careless beauty.
-
Archaic. free from anxiety.
adjective
-
done with or acting with insufficient attention; negligent
-
unconcerned in attitude or action; heedless; indifferent (to)
she's very careless about her clothes
-
(usually prenominal) carefree
-
(usually prenominal) unstudied; artless
an impression of careless elegance
Other Word Forms
- carelessly adverb
- carelessness noun
- overcareless adjective
- overcarelessly adverb
Etymology
Origin of careless
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English carlēas; care, -less
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless.”
From Los Angeles Times
When a nameless secretary drops a sheaf of papers, Kornev’s response to help is instinctive, yet we cringe at the careless faux pas he commits in this unfeeling society.
From Los Angeles Times
On Tuesday, Dye posted a statement on social media, in which he apologized to Malukas and others for his “careless comments.”
From Los Angeles Times
To connect maternal regret with unloving and neglectful parenting is a careless assumption, according to Israeli sociologist Orna Donath, author of Regretting Motherhood: A Study.
From BBC
At a previous court hearing, in addition to pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving, Tavener, 23, of no fixed address, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
