adverb
B1
Intermediate
carelessly
KEH-uh-luhs-lee
Carelessly (adverb) means Without proper attention or caution. Example: “He tossed the papers carelessly onto the desk.”
adverb
1
Without proper attention or caution.
"Distracted by the salesperson, he carelessly read the contract."
"He tossed the papers carelessly onto the desk."
"She drove carelessly through the school zone."
How to use carelessly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something in a sloppy or inattentive way.
Common pairings
tossed carelessly
spoke carelessly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more carelessly
- Superlative
- most carelessly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tossed the papers _____ onto the desk.
Etymology
From careless + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for carelessly
expressly
aimlessly
endlessly
hopelessly
painlessly
fearlessly
recklessly
helplessly
tirelessly
ruthlessly
selflessly
needlessly
See all rhymes for carelessly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “carelessly” mean?
The word “carelessly” means without proper attention or caution. In plain terms, doing something in a sloppy or inattentive way.
How do you pronounce “carelessly”?
“Carelessly” is pronounced KEH-uh-luhs-lee (/ˈkɛɹləsli/ in IPA).
How do you use “carelessly” in a sentence?
Here is “carelessly” used in a sentence: “He tossed the papers carelessly onto the desk.”
What part of speech is “carelessly”?
“Carelessly” is an adverb.
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