Careless: meaning, definitions and examples

😬

Add to dictionary

careless

[ˈkerləs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

inattentive behavior

Showing a lack of attention or consideration; not taking enough care in doing something. Careless behavior can lead to accidents and mistakes.

Synonyms

inattentive, negligent, reckless, thoughtless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
careless	This word is best used to describe someone who is not paying enough attention or is not taking enough care in their actions. It's suitable for everyday situations where someone's actions could lead to minor negative outcomes. She made a careless mistake on the test and got a lower score. His careless driving almost caused an accident.
negligent	Use this word to describe a failure to take proper care in doing something, often implying a legal or formal responsibility. It usually carries a serious or formal connotation. The company was found negligent in maintaining safety standards. The doctor was negligent in providing proper care to the patient.
reckless	This word should be used when someone is not just careless, but their actions are dangerous and show a lack of concern for the potential consequences. It often has a strong negative connotation. His reckless driving endangered everyone's lives on the road. She made a reckless decision without thinking about the risks.
thoughtless	This term is best used to describe actions done without considering others' feelings or the consequences, often leading to negative outcomes. It usually has a negative emotional impact. His thoughtless comments hurt her feelings deeply. Throwing trash on the ground is a thoughtless act.
inattentive	This term is appropriate in contexts where someone is not paying attention, especially when they should be focusing. It is often used in professional or educational settings. The inattentive student missed important details in the lecture. His inattentive behavior at work led to the project being delayed.

Examples of usage

He made a careless mistake in his report.
She was careless with her belongings and ended up losing her phone.
The careless driver caused a serious accident on the road.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

without caution

Done or said without thinking or caring about the consequences. Careless remarks or actions can hurt others unintentionally.

Synonyms

heedless, impulsive, rash, unthinking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
careless	Used when someone fails to pay enough attention to details or responsibilities, often leading to mistakes. He was careless with his work and made several errors Leaving the door unlocked was a careless mistake
rash	Associated with actions done quickly without thinking carefully, often leading to negative outcomes. Has a negative connotation. Making a rash decision to invest all his money was a mistake Her rash actions got her into trouble with the law
impulsive	Refers to someone who acts on sudden desires or feelings without considering the consequences, often in a positive or neutral way. She made an impulsive decision to book a spontaneous trip to Paris His impulsive nature makes him exciting to be around
heedless	Describes a person who is intentionally or recklessly ignoring potential consequences or warnings. He sped through the intersection, heedless of the traffic signals Her heedless behavior often gets her into trouble
unthinking	Used to describe someone who does things without considering the consequences or other people's feelings. The term implies a lack of thought or concern. His comment was unthinking and hurt her deeply Unthinking behavior can often lead to misunderstandings

Examples of usage

She regretted her careless words that hurt her friend's feelings.
The careless disposal of waste can harm the environment.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from combining 'care' with the suffix '-less,' which means 'without.' So 'careless' literally means 'without care.'
It first appeared in English texts during the early 17th century, becoming steadily popular over time.

Psychology

People who are often careless may experience increased anxiety due to the consequences of their lack of attention.
Research shows that multitasking can lead to careless errors because the brain struggles to effectively focus on multiple tasks.

Literature

In literature, careless characters often symbolize recklessness or a carefree spirit, which can lead to humorous or disastrous outcomes.
Famous literary figures, like Holden Caulfield in 'The Catcher in the Rye,' often exhibit carelessness as a reflection of their inner turmoil.

Pop Culture

Carelessness is a common trope in movies, showing characters accidentally causing chaos, often for comedic effect.
Songs often reference themes of being careless in love, highlighting the emotional impacts of neglecting feelings.

Education

Teachers often address carelessness in students’ work, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail in learning.
Educational strategies include teaching mindfulness to help students reduce careless mistakes and improve focus.

Translations

Translations of the word "careless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descuidado

🇮🇳 लापरवाह

🇩🇪 unvorsichtig

🇮🇩 ceroboh

🇺🇦 необережний

🇵🇱 nieostrożny

🇯🇵 不注意な

🇫🇷 négligent

🇪🇸 descuidado

🇹🇷 dikkatsiz

🇰🇷 부주의한

🇸🇦 مهمل

🇨🇿 nedbalý

🇸🇰 nedbanlivý

🇨🇳 粗心

🇸🇮 nepreviden

🇮🇸 óvarlegur

🇰🇿 немқұрайлы

🇬🇪 უზრუნველყოფილი

🇦🇿 ehtiyatsız

🇲🇽 descuidado

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,843 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
7840 extremes
7841 resentment
7842 peculiarly
7843 careless
7844 jar
7845 boarding
7846 meditation
...