Negligence: meaning, definitions and examples
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negligence
[ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns ]
Definitions
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.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| negligence |
A legal term easily used in formal contexts to describe a failure to exercise proper care that results in damage or injury.
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| carelessness |
A more casual term that describes a lack of attention or consideration, often in everyday situations and usually less severe than negligence.
|
| neglect |
Can be used in both personal and professional contexts to indicate a failure to care for someone or something. It has a slightly negative tone.
|
| dereliction |
A formal and strong term often used in organizational or occupational contexts to denote the willful neglect of duty or responsibilities. It usually carries a negative connotation.
|
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.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| negligence |
Refers to the failure to take proper care in doing something, often used in legal or formal situations.
|
| carelessness |
Describes a lack of attention or thought in doing something, often resulting in mistakes or accidents. It can be used more informally.
|
| neglect |
Implies the act of failing to care for something properly, can be used in both personal and professional contexts.
|
| indifference |
Indicates a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy, often with a negative implication regarding someone's feelings or actions.
|
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'negligentia', which means 'carelessness'.
- In English, it was first used in the late 14th century, emphasizing a lack of attention.
- The root 'neglect' reflects the broader concept of failing to do something one is responsible for.
Legal Context
- In law, negligence refers to a failure to take proper care, leading to damage or injury.
- The famous case of Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) established the modern concept of legal negligence.
- Negligence claims often involve duty of care, which means being responsible for others' safety.
Psychology
- Research shows neglect can lead to psychological harm, especially in children who need attention.
- People often neglect important tasks due to cognitive overload or stress, resulting in poor decision-making.
- Cognitive dissonance theory explains how individuals justify their negligence instead of admitting mistakes.
Everyday Life
- Negligence can occur in simple daily tasks, like forgetting to lock the door or turning off the stove.
- In relationships, negligence might look like not checking in with loved ones, which can cause emotional distance.
- The phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' reflects how easy it is to neglect things we don’t see every day.
Pop Culture
- Many movies depict negligence leading to major plot twists, where a character overlooks an important detail.
- Television shows often feature characters facing consequences for their negligence, reinforcing the idea of accountability.
- Song lyrics sometimes explore themes of personal neglect and its emotional impacts, resonating with audiences.
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