careless

[ kair-lis ]

adjective

1. not paying enough attention to what one does:

   a careless typist.

   Synonyms: reckless, indiscreet, unwary, incautious, inattentive

   Antonyms: careful

2. not exact, accurate, or thorough:

   careless work.

   Synonyms: negligent, inaccurate

   Antonyms: careful

3. done or said heedlessly or negligently; unconsidered:

   a careless remark.

   Synonyms: unthoughtful, unmindful

   Antonyms: careful

4. not caring or troubling; having no care or concern; unconcerned (usually followed by of, about, or in ):

   careless of the rights of others;

   careless about one's behavior;

   careless in speech.

   Synonyms: inconsiderate, forgetful, thoughtless

   Antonyms: careful

5. possessed or caused without effort or art; unstudied:

   careless beauty.

6. Archaic. free from anxiety.

careless

/ ˈkɛəlɪs /

adjective

1. done with or acting with insufficient attention; negligent
2. often foll byin, of, or about unconcerned in attitude or action; heedless; indifferent (to)

   she's very careless about her clothes

3. usually prenominal carefree
4. usually prenominal unstudied; artless

   an impression of careless elegance

Derived Forms

• ˈcarelessness, noun
• ˈcarelessly, adverb

Other Words From

• care·less·ly adverb
• care·less·ness noun
• o·ver·care·less adjective
• o·ver·care·less·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of careless¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English carlēas; care, -less

Example Sentences

Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr warned voters in July that there is "no place in our organisation for... bias, grudge-holding, or careless voting".

From BBC

Approximately 160,000 people are killed in road accidents in India every year - the highest in the world - mainly due to speeding and careless driving.

From BBC

An 18-year-old man, from Bodmin, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

From BBC

On a pitch Pakistan had dried with giant fans and patio heaters, the hosts’ plan was being vindicated thanks in part to some careless England batting after the visitors won a crucial toss.

From BBC

His family alleges that the school “was negligent and careless by allowing students to harass, humiliate, and bully the plaintiff with impunity” and is seeking unspecified damages, according the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• casual
• forgetful
• hasty
• inaccurate
• indifferent
• indiscreet
• irresponsible
• lackadaisical
• lax
• negligent
• nonchalant
• reckless
• sloppy
• thoughtless
• wasteful