devil-may-care
[dev-uh l-mey-kair]
- reckless; careless; rollicking.
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Origin of devil-may-care
First recorded in 1785–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
carelesscavaliereasygoingfoolhardyhappy-go-luckyharum-scarumheedlessinattentivelackadaisicalnegligentnonchalantrashrecklessunconcernedExamples from the Web for devil-may-care
Contemporary Examples
Under the strain of that feeling, many single men through the ages have adopted a devil-may-care attitude.
And I think that comes through in that devil-may-care attitude.
Of course, some fans embrace her devil-may-care attitude, championing the actress for staying true to herself.
Historical Examples
The Texan with his devil-may-care ways that masked the real character of him.
Prairie FlowersJames B. Hendryx
The devil-may-care spirit was always a great factor with the men.
A Labrador DoctorWilfred Thomason Grenfell
What a jaunty, ugly, devil-may-care set of fellows they were!
Ben ComeeM. J. (Michael Joseph) Canavan
He was a devil-may-care 43 Irishman, brimful of the virtues and the vices of his race.
A Daughter of RaasayWilliam MacLeod Raine
You may know them by their saucy, chiding, devil-may-care hum.
Expository WritingMervin James Curl
devil-may-care
- careless or reckless; happy-go-luckya devil-may-care attitude
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for devil-may-care
adj.
1837 (but suggested in other forms by 1793).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper