improvident

American  

[im-prov-i-duhnt] / ɪmˈprɒv ɪ dənt /

adjective

1. not provident; lacking foresight; incautious; unwary.

   Synonyms:

   heedless, imprudent, careless, thoughtless

   Antonyms:

   prudent

2. neglecting to provide for future needs.

   Synonyms:

   prodigal, wasteful, unthrifty, thriftless, shiftless

   Antonyms:

   economical

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improvident British  

/ ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt /

adjective

1. not provident; thriftless, imprudent, or prodigal

2. heedless or incautious; rash

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Other Word Forms

• improvidence noun
• improvidently adverb

Etymology

Origin of improvident

First recorded in 1505–15; im- ² + provident

Example Sentences

Jon Provost played Timmy, a well-intentioned but improvident child who often finds himself in life-threatening situations that require Lassie to alert his folks and guide them to him.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025

If you should be so improvident as to kick it hard, the engine will come to full strength at the speed of thought.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

In one heat, a driver made an improvident move and three cars collided, one flipping on its side.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2019

If Alice’s hair is her one extravagance, her one deceptively whimsical ornament, Frank Banning—Mimi’s 9-year-old son—is all improvident display.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2016

Under this system well-to-do thrifty artisans and improvident paupers are all treated by one staff, controlled by one administration, and are located in immediate proximity to each other though in separate pavilions.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various