adj

remiss

ruh-MIHS

Remiss (adj) means Careless or negligent about a duty or responsibility. Example: “It would be remiss of me not to mention the risks involved.”

adj

Careless or negligent about a duty or responsibility.

"It would be remiss of me not to mention the risks involved."

"The manager was remiss in checking the safety equipment."

How to use remiss

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFailing to do something you were supposed to do — careless about your duty.

When to use it

A formal word, often used in the set phrase "it would be remiss of me..." before mentioning something important.

Common pairings

remiss of me remiss in his duties

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It would be _____ of me not to mention the risks involved.

Etymology

From Latin remissus ("slack, negligent"), the past participle of remittere ("to relax, let go").

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “remiss” mean?

The word “remiss” means careless or negligent about a duty or responsibility. In plain terms, failing to do something you were supposed to do — careless about your duty.

How do you pronounce “remiss”?

“Remiss” is pronounced ruh-MIHS (/ɹəˈmɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “remiss” in a sentence?

Here is “remiss” used in a sentence: “It would be remiss of me not to mention the risks involved.”

What part of speech is “remiss”?

“Remiss” is an adjective.

Where does the word “remiss” come from?

The word “remiss” comes from Latin. From Latin remissus ("slack, negligent"), the past participle of remittere ("to relax, let go").