Improvident: meaning, definitions and examples

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improvident

 

[ ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

financial planning

Not providing for the future; thoughtless or careless concerning money or possessions.

Synonyms

careless, negligent, reckless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improvident

Used to describe someone who is not thinking about the future and spends money without considering long-term consequences.

  • He was improvident with his inheritance, spending it all on luxuries instead of saving for the future
careless

Refers to someone who makes mistakes because they are not paying attention or are not careful.

  • She was careless with her homework and ended up making many errors
reckless

Describes someone who acts without thinking about the potential dangers or consequences of their actions, often resulting in harm or danger.

  • He drove at a reckless speed, endangering everyone on the road
negligent

Refers to someone who fails to take proper care in doing something, and it often has legal or professional implications.

  • The doctor was found negligent in his duties, leading to the patient’s worsened condition

Examples of usage

  • His improvident spending habits left him in debt.
  • She regretted her improvident decision to not save for retirement.
Context #2 | Adjective

general usage

Failing to anticipate future needs or events; lacking foresight.

Synonyms

inconsiderate, shortsighted, unthinking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
improvident

Describes someone who fails to plan for the future, especially in financial matters.

  • Her improvident spending led to significant debt
  • The improvident policy did not account for potential economic downturns
shortsighted

Describes someone who cannot see the long-term consequences of their actions.

  • His shortsighted management led to the company's decline
  • Investing in cheap materials was a shortsighted decision
unthinking

Refers to actions done without careful thought or consideration, often impulsive.

  • Her unthinking comments hurt his feelings
  • The unthinking purchase left them broke
inconsiderate

Refers to someone who is thoughtless and does not consider the feelings or needs of others.

  • He was inconsiderate to leave the party without telling anyone
  • Her inconsiderate behavior upset everyone

Examples of usage

  • His improvident behavior led to unforeseen consequences.
  • The company's improvident policies resulted in financial difficulties.

Translations

Translations of the word "improvident" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imprevidente

🇮🇳 असंयमी

🇩🇪 unvorsichtig

🇮🇩 ceroboh

🇺🇦 непередбачливий

🇵🇱 nieroztropny

🇯🇵 無計画な

🇫🇷 imprévoyant

🇪🇸 imprevisor

🇹🇷 tedbirsiz

🇰🇷 무계획적인

🇸🇦 غير مدبر

🇨🇿 neopatrný

🇸🇰 neopatrný

🇨🇳 轻率的

🇸🇮 nepreviden

🇮🇸 ófyrirleitinn

🇰🇿 абайсыз

🇬🇪 გაუფრთხილებელი

🇦🇿 ehtiyatsız

🇲🇽 imprevisor

Etymology

The word 'improvident' originated from the Latin word 'improvidus', which is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'providus' (foreseeing, providing). It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The concept of being improvident has been a cautionary tale throughout history, warning against the consequences of not planning for the future or being careless with resources.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,386, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.