negligent
NEHG-lih-juhnt
Negligent (adj) means Careless or failing to give proper attention, especially to duties or responsibilities. Example: “The inspector called the wiring negligent and unsafe.”
adj
1
Careless or failing to give proper attention, especially to duties or responsibilities.
"The inspector called the wiring negligent and unsafe."
"Leaving the gate open was a negligent mistake given the dog's history."
How to use negligent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareless in a way that's blameworthy, often used in legal contexts.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
negligent behaviour
grossly negligent
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more negligent
- Superlative
- most negligent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The inspector called the wiring _____ and unsafe.
Etymology
This word reached English as Middle English necligent or negligent, which had come from Old French negligent, itself from Latin negligēns.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for negligent
See all rhymes for negligent →Frequently asked questions
What does “negligent” mean?
The word “negligent” means careless or failing to give proper attention, especially to duties or responsibilities. In plain terms, careless in a way that's blameworthy, often used in legal contexts.
How do you pronounce “negligent”?
“Negligent” is pronounced NEHG-lih-juhnt (/ˈnɛɡ.lɪ.d͡ʒənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “negligent” in a sentence?
Here is “negligent” used in a sentence: “The inspector called the wiring negligent and unsafe.”
What part of speech is “negligent”?
“Negligent” is an adjective.
Is “negligent” a common word?
“Negligent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
