Negligence: meaning, definitions and examples
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negligence
[ ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns ]
legal term
Failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another person. Negligence can be due to inaction, carelessness, or lack of attention.
Synonyms
carelessness, dereliction, neglect
Examples of usage
- The company was sued for negligence after a customer slipped and fell on a wet floor.
- The nurse was accused of negligence for administering the wrong medication to a patient.
general term
Lack of proper care or attention; indifference to consequences. Negligence can also refer to the state of being neglectful or failing to fulfill one's obligations.
Synonyms
carelessness, indifference, neglect
Examples of usage
- Her negligence in maintaining the car led to a breakdown on the highway.
- The teacher's negligence in grading assignments caused confusion among students.
Translations
Translations of the word "negligence" in other languages:
🇵🇹 negligência
🇮🇳 लापरवाही
🇩🇪 Fahrlässigkeit
🇮🇩 kelalaian
🇺🇦 недбалість
🇵🇱 zaniedbanie
🇯🇵 過失 (かしつ)
🇫🇷 négligence
🇪🇸 negligencia
🇹🇷 ihmal
🇰🇷 태만
🇸🇦 إهمال
🇨🇿 nedbalost
🇸🇰 nedbanlivosť
🇨🇳 疏忽
🇸🇮 malomarnost
🇮🇸 vanræksla
🇰🇿 немқұрайлылық
🇬🇪 უყურადღებობა
🇦🇿 laqeydlik
🇲🇽 negligencia
Etymology
The word 'negligence' originated from the Latin word 'negligentia', which means 'carelessness' or 'heedlessness'. The concept of negligence has long been a central issue in legal systems, dating back to ancient Roman law. It is a fundamental principle in tort law, focusing on the duty of care that individuals owe to others to avoid causing harm through their actions or inactions.
See also: neglect, neglected, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, negligible.