Heedless: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when someone is not paying attention to advice, warnings, or danger. It implies a lack of care about potential consequences.

• He drove heedlessly through the storm
• Her heedless actions almost resulted in an accident

Use this when someone is not paying enough attention to detail or is being negligent. It often describes minor mistakes due to inattention.

• She made a careless error in her homework
• His careless driving led to a minor accident

Use this when someone is acting without regard for the dangers or consequences of their actions. It often has a stronger negative connotation.

• His reckless driving endangered everyone on the road
• She made a reckless decision to climb the mountain alone

This word describes someone who is not paying attention, often due to distraction or lack of focus. It can suggest a temporary lapse in focus.

• The teacher noticed that he was inattentive during the lesson
• The inattentive waiter forgot our order

This is used when someone is not thinking about or not aware of something important. It is similar to heedless but can imply a more passive lack of awareness.

• He was unmindful of the time and missed his appointment
• Unmindful of the wet floor, she slipped and fell

Use 'heedless' when someone is ignoring potential dangers or warnings, typically implying negligence or a lack of caution.

• He drove through the fog with heedless abandon.
• Her heedless disregard for the rules eventually got her into trouble.

Use 'carelessly' when someone is acting without paying attention to detail or without sufficient thought, often resulting in mistakes. It can have a slightly negative connotation.

• She carelessly left the keys in the car.
• The report was written carelessly, full of errors.

Use 'recklessly' when someone is acting in a way that shows a lack of concern for the consequences, often with an element of danger. It usually has a strong negative connotation.

• He drove recklessly through the streets, putting everyone in danger.
• Her recklessly irresponsible behavior caused a lot of trouble.

Use 'thoughtlessly' when someone is acting or speaking without thinking about the possible effects on others, often implying inconsideration. It often has a negative connotation.

• She spoke thoughtlessly, hurting his feelings.
• He acted thoughtlessly, causing inconvenience to everyone.