irresponsible

[ir-i-spon-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. said, done, or characterized by a lack of a sense of responsibility.

   His refusal to work shows him to be completely irresponsible.

   Synonyms: thoughtless, undependable, unreliable

2. not capable of or qualified for responsibility, as due to age, circumstances, or a mental deficiency.

3. not responsible, answerable, or accountable to higher authority.

   irresponsible as a monarch.

noun

1. an irresponsible person.

irresponsible

/ ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbəl /

adjective

1. not showing or done with due care for the consequences of one's actions or attitudes; reckless

2. not capable of bearing responsibility

3. archaic,  not answerable to a higher authority for one's actions

Other Word Forms

• irresponsibility noun
• irresponsibleness noun
• irresponsibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irresponsible¹

First recorded in 1640–50; ir- ² + responsible

Example Sentences

At the time Ms Peggie's lawyers said the statement was irresponsible.

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It also said that the matters are now under the control of the relevant authorities and it would be inappropriate and irresponsible to infer baseless wrongdoing against the company.

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"That would mean 12 months with a lack of leadership, no COP president in place, no plan, that would be irresponsible for multilateralism in this challenging environment."

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In reality, India has too many reckless left-wing populists who don’t understand basic economics and woo voters with fiscally irresponsible promises.

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“Dazed and Confused” was what Rolling Stone called “the ultimate party movie—loud, crude, socially irresponsible and totally irresistible.”

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Related Words

• capricious 
• immature 
• thoughtless