careless
KEH-uh-lihs
Careless (adjective) means not paying enough attention, so that mistakes or accidents happen. Example: “A careless mistake cost them the contract.”
adjective
1
Not paying enough attention, so that mistakes or accidents happen.
"A careless mistake cost them the contract."
"He's always careless with his keys and loses them constantly."
"It was careless of me to leave the oven on while I went out."
How to use careless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot taking enough care, so things get done sloppily or dangerously.
Common pairings
careless mistake
careless driving
careless with money
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more careless
- Superlative
- most careless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ mistake cost them the contract.
Etymology
From Old English carlēas, from care + -less ("without").
Synonyms
View more →
inattentive
thoughtless
hasty
imprudent
absent-minded
cursory
derelict
heedless
irregardless
irrespective
lash
lax
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for careless
useless
ageless
wireless
hopeless
homeless
tireless
lifeless
baseless
clueless
timeless
loveless
nameless
See all rhymes for careless →
Frequently asked questions
What does “careless” mean?
The word “careless” means not paying enough attention, so that mistakes or accidents happen. In plain terms, not taking enough care, so things get done sloppily or dangerously.
How do you pronounce “careless”?
“Careless” is pronounced KEH-uh-lihs (/kɛɹ.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “careless” in a sentence?
Here is “careless” used in a sentence: “A careless mistake cost them the contract.”
What is another word for “careless”?
Words with a similar meaning to “careless” include cursory, derelict, heedless, irregardless, irrespective and lash.
What is the opposite of “careless”?
The opposite of “careless” — its antonyms — is meticulous.
What part of speech is “careless”?
“Careless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “careless” come from?
The word “careless” comes from Old English. From Old English carlēas, from care + -less ("without").
Is “careless” a common word?
“Careless” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between careless and reckless?
Careless describes a lack of attention that leads to mistakes or accidents, often without any awareness of the risk involved, while reckless implies a person knew there was danger but disregarded it anyway. Reckless behavior generally carries a stronger sense of deliberate risk-taking than careless behavior.
What is the difference between careless and negligent?
Careless is the everyday word for not paying enough attention, while negligent is often used in legal and professional contexts to describe a failure to exercise a required standard of care, sometimes with legal consequences. A careless mistake might just be embarrassing, whereas negligent conduct can lead to liability.
How is careless different from carefree?
Careless and carefree look similar but mean very different things: careless means inattentive in a way that causes errors, while carefree means free from worry or responsibility in a positive, relaxed sense. A carefree afternoon is pleasant, but a careless mistake is a problem.
