improvident

[im-prov-i-duhnt]

adjective

1. not provident; lacking foresight; incautious; unwary.

   Synonyms: heedless, imprudent, careless, thoughtless
   Antonyms: prudent

2. neglecting to provide for future needs.

   Synonyms: prodigal, wasteful, unthrifty, thriftless, shiftless
   Antonyms: economical

improvident

/ ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt /

adjective

1. not provident; thriftless, imprudent, or prodigal

2. heedless or incautious; rash

Other Word Forms

• improvidence noun
• improvidently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of improvident¹

First recorded in 1505–15; im- ² + provident

Example Sentences

Jon Provost played Timmy, a well-intentioned but improvident child who often finds himself in life-threatening situations that require Lassie to alert his folks and guide them to him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If you should be so improvident as to kick it hard, the engine will come to full strength at the speed of thought.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She did quit her job to take care of him, but they were improvident and did not buy long-term care insurance.

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“The arbitration clause is improvident because the arbitration process requires US$14,500 in up-front administrative fees,” the top court said.

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In one heat, a driver made an improvident move and three cars collided, one flipping on its side.

Read more on New York Times