noun
Uncommon
negligence
NEHG-lihd-zhuhns
Negligence (noun) means a failure to take proper care, especially when it causes harm. Example: “The fire was caused by negligence, not deliberate sabotage.”
noun
1
A failure to take proper care, especially when it causes harm.
"The fire was caused by negligence, not deliberate sabotage."
"The flooding was blamed on the council's negligence in never clearing the drains."
"Leaving a child alone near a pool is negligence, however short the time."
2
In law, a failure to meet the standard of care a reasonable person would show, resulting in injury or damage.
"The hospital was sued for medical negligence."
"The court found the company liable for negligence after the equipment failed."
"She brought a claim of negligence against the builder after the ceiling collapsed."
How to use negligence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCarelessness — especially the kind that causes damage or injury and can lead to a lawsuit.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gross negligence
medical negligence
sue for negligence
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Word forms
- Plural
- negligences
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The fire was caused by _____, not deliberate sabotage.
Etymology
From Latin neglegentia, "carelessness," related to neglegere, "to disregard."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for negligence
See all rhymes for negligence →Frequently asked questions
What does “negligence” mean?
The word “negligence” means a failure to take proper care, especially when it causes harm. In plain terms, carelessness — especially the kind that causes damage or injury and can lead to a lawsuit.
How do you pronounce “negligence”?
“Negligence” is pronounced NEHG-lihd-zhuhns (/ˈnɛɡlɪd͡ʒəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “negligence” in a sentence?
Here is “negligence” used in a sentence: “The fire was caused by negligence, not deliberate sabotage.”
What part of speech is “negligence”?
“Negligence” is a noun.
Where does the word “negligence” come from?
The word “negligence” comes from Latin. From Latin neglegentia, "carelessness," related to neglegere, "to disregard.".
Is “negligence” a common word?
“Negligence” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “negligence” have?
“Negligence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a failure to take proper care, especially when it causes harm.
What is the difference between negligence and carelessness?
Carelessness is a general lack of attention in everyday behavior, while negligence, especially in a legal sense, refers specifically to a failure to meet the standard of care a reasonable person would show, resulting in injury or damage. Negligence often carries formal or legal consequences that ordinary carelessness may not.
What must be proven to establish negligence in a legal case?
Legal negligence generally requires showing that a person failed to exercise the care a reasonable person would have shown in the same situation, and that this failure caused injury or damage. Both the failure of care and the resulting harm are necessary elements.
Is negligence the same as intent to cause harm?
No, negligence does not require intent to cause harm. It refers to a failure to take proper care, whereas intentional wrongdoing involves deliberately causing harm, which is treated as a separate and generally more serious category.
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