reckless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reckless
First recorded before 900; Middle English rekles, Old English reccelēas “careless” (cognate with German ruchlos ); see reck, -less
Explanation
If you are reckless, you don't think or care about the consequences of your words or actions, like a reckless driver who speeds while texting, knitting, and eating a sandwich. The word reckless comes from the Old English word receleas, meaning "careless, thoughtless, heedless." If you have a reckless attitude, you aren't concerned about what happens to yourself or others who are affected by your actions. In this usage, reckless is the opposite of considerate. Reckless friends will invite people you don't know to your house because with your parents away, it's party time. Surprise!
Vocabulary lists containing reckless
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Anti-Antonyms: Words Without Opposites
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Companies are being extremely reckless given the stakes," Coxon told local lawmakers at a hearing before the New York City Council.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
“Most companies don’t want to be reckless about this decision, so it can take a long time to come to the conclusion of what needs to be eliminated and why,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
A contrasting perspective holds that dystopian and cautionary science fiction serves an essential purpose by exposing the consequences of reckless behavior, political failure and technological overreach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
The sisters of the man suspected of being the so-called "Putney pusher" have told the BBC the Metropolitan Police was "negligent" and "reckless" in its handling of the case.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
If they were reckless and tried to run the rapids, their wooden canoes would most likely capsize and get ripped to pieces.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
