improvident

American  

[im-prov-i-duhnt] / ɪmˈprɒv ɪ dənt /

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

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improvident British  

/ ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt /

adjective

1. not provident; thriftless, imprudent, or prodigal

2. heedless or incautious; rash

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Other Word Forms

• improvidence noun
• improvidently adverb

Etymology

Origin of improvident

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

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

From Reuters

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

From New York Times