carelessness

[kair-lis-nis]

noun

1. failure to pay enough attention to what one is doing; sloppiness.

   Unlike unavoidable error, a “mistake” in an experiment is something known to be incorrect due to accident, carelessness, or ineptitude.

2. lack of accuracy or thoroughness.

   The many instances of carelessness in the book (with references, dates, etc.) detract from its value.

3. the fact or quality of being said or done thoughtlessly or negligently.

   You were too quick to make promises you can’t possibly fulfill—which only shows the carelessness of your remarks.

4. lack of regard or concern for something (usually followed by of, about, for, ortoward ).

   He was repulsed by their carelessness and cruelty toward those less fortunate.

   Her rudeness and arrogance betray her carelessness for other people's feelings.

5. effortless or artless quality.

   She is a highly intelligent academic who nevertheless speaks with the simplicity and carelessness of a child.

Other Word Forms

• overcarelessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of carelessness¹

First recorded before 1000; careless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Their carelessness will be a concern for Slot, even if they have shown five times this season that they have what it takes to pull themselves out of trouble.

From BBC

That brings us to the subplot of “Brazil” that resonates the loudest for today’s America: the arrest of an innocent man due to bureaucratic carelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

The inquiry, which reported in March 2020, said that the scandal was both "foreseeable and avoidable", and criticised "a culture of disbelief and carelessness" in the Home Office.

From BBC

But rather than present this as a technical failure, Kim Jong Un claimed the incident was caused by "absolute carelessness and irresponsibility."

From BBC

It was the result of "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism", he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• inattention 
• neglect 
• negligence 
• nonchalance 
• sloppiness www.thesaurus.com