neglect
nih-GLEHKT
Neglect (verb) means to fail to give proper care or attention to someone or something. Example: “The previous owners had neglected the garden for years.”
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."
"If you neglect your houseplants for a few weeks, they will probably die."
noun
1
A lack of proper care or attention.
"The house showed clear signs of long-term neglect."
"The old playground fell into disrepair through years of neglect by the council."
"Many of the dog's health problems were caused by neglect rather than illness."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- neglects
- Third person singular
- neglects
- Past tense
- neglected
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The previous owners had _____ the garden for years.
Etymology
From Latin neglectus, "disregarded," from neg- ("not") + legere ("to pick up, pay heed to").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “neglect” mean?
The word “neglect” means to fail to give proper care or attention to someone or something. In plain terms, not giving something or someone the care or attention they need.
How do you pronounce “neglect”?
“Neglect” is pronounced nih-GLEHKT (/nɪˈɡlɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “neglect” in a sentence?
Here is “neglect” used in a sentence: “The previous owners had neglected the garden for years.”
What is another word for “neglect”?
Words with a similar meaning to “neglect” include take no notice of, carelessness and negligence.
What is the opposite of “neglect”?
The opposite of “neglect” — its antonyms — are care, mind, reck, notice and consider.
What part of speech is “neglect”?
Depending on how it is used, “neglect” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “neglect” come from?
The word “neglect” comes from Latin. From Latin neglectus, "disregarded," from neg- ("not") + legere ("to pick up, pay heed to").
Is “neglect” a common word?
“Neglect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between neglect and abuse?
Neglect refers to failing to give proper care or attention to someone or something, an act of omission, while abuse typically involves an active, harmful act directed at someone. Neglect is about what was not done; abuse is about what was done.
Can neglect be unintentional?
Yes, neglect describes a failure to give proper care or attention, which can happen unintentionally through oversight or inability, not only through deliberate disregard.
Is neglect a noun, a verb, or both?
Neglect functions as both a noun and a verb. As a verb it means to fail to give proper care or attention to someone or something; as a noun it means a lack of proper care or attention.
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