negligence

[neg-li-juhns]

noun

1. the quality, fact, or result of being negligent; neglect.

   negligence in discharging one's responsibilities.

2. an instance of being negligent.

   a downfall brought about by many negligences.

3. Law.,  the failure to exercise that degree of care that, in the circumstances, the law requires for the protection of other persons or those interests of other persons that may be injuriously affected by the want of such care.

adjective

1. Law.,  pertaining to or involving a civil action for compensation for damages filed by a person who claims to have suffered an injury or loss in an accident caused by another's negligence.

   a negligence suit;

   a large negligence award.

negligence

/ ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being negligent

2. a negligent act

3. law a civil wrong whereby a person or party is in breach of a legal duty of care to another which results in loss or injury to the claimant

Other Word Forms

• nonnegligence noun
• overnegligence noun
• prenegligence noun
• supernegligence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of negligence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, variant of necligence, from Latin necligentia; negligent, -ence

Synonym Study

See neglect.

Example Sentences

They are suing the venue for negligence and premises liability and Zavala for battery.

From Los Angeles Times

Disasters are real — also, these days, frighteningly common, be they epic confluences of nature and negligence or the murderous and preventable kind.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the offence of gross negligence manslaughter requires the breach of an existing duty of care, which gives rise to a serious and obvious risk of death.

From BBC

Additionally, victims can file civil claims for invasion of privacy, emotional distress, or negligence if the offender failed to protect or delete intimate content.

From Los Angeles Times

A couple have been jailed for 14 years for the gross negligence manslaughter of their newborn daughter when they went on the run with her to avoid dealing with social services.

From BBC

Related Words

• disregard 
• failure 
• laxity 
• neglect 
• oversight