verb
neglect
nih-GLEHKT
verb
1
To fail to give proper care or attention to someone or something.
"The previous owners had neglected the garden for years."
"Don't neglect your own health while you're looking after everyone else."
noun
1
A lack of proper care or attention.
"The house showed clear signs of long-term neglect."
How to Use Neglect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot giving something or someone the care or attention they need.
Common pairings
child neglect
neglect a duty
suffer from neglect
Word Forms
neglected past tense, neglects plural, neglects singular
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Etymology
From Latin neglectus, "disregarded," from neg- ("not") + legere ("to pick up, pay heed to").