reckless

[ rek-lis ]

/ ˈrɛk lɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reckless ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless (usually followed by of): to be reckless of danger.

characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness: reckless extravagance.

Nearby words

Origin of reckless

before 900; Middle English rekles, Old English reccelēas careless (cognate with German ruchlos); see reck, -less

SYNONYMS FOR reckless

1. rash, heedless, incautious, negligent, imprudent.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reckless ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR reckless

1. careful.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR reckless ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsreck·less·ly, adverbreck·less·ness, noun

Can be confusedfeckless reckless

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for reckless

In 2002, he was arrested for reckless driving after swerving his SUV off the highway.
Creed Singer Scott Stapp’s Fall From Grace: From 40 Million Albums Sold to Living in a Holiday Inn|Marlow Stern|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It starts with a bright, trebly guitar, sets the beat, and finally spins into a kind of reckless abandon.
Greil Marcus Talks About Trying to Unlock Rock and Roll in 10 Songs|Allen Barra|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And The Prize Is Death, a cartoon by Albert Levering, attacks an epidemic of reckless driving.
The Magazine That Made—and Unmade—Politicians|Anthony Haden-Guest|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sensational and often reckless reports in the press threaten the fairness of a trial.
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

How could things in Ukraine have deteriorated to the point where Putin was now engaged in such a reckless act of aggression?
Why Putin Let MH17 Get Shot Down|James Miller|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As for me, the remembrance of my fiancée this evening threw me into a reckless mood.
A Witch of the Hills, v. 2-2|Florence Warden
Besides this, mainly with a view to putting a stop to their reckless use by boys and others, pistols were to be taxed 1l.
Lord Randolph Churchill|Winston Spencer Churchill
Tartarin was reckless because of his faith in Providence, and escaped.
God The Invisible King|Herbert George Wells
Mr. Waring, soon after his return home, began to lead a wild, reckless life.
The Haunted Homestead|E. D. E. N. Southworth
She gave a reckless laugh and crossed her knees, looking at me under half-veiled lids, smooth and pure as a child's.
The Maid-At-Arms|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for reckless

reckless

/ (ˈrɛklɪs) /

adjective

having or showing no regard for danger or consequences; heedless; rasha reckless driver; a reckless attempt

Derived Formsrecklessly, adverbrecklessness, noun

Word Origin for reckless

Old English recceleās (see reck, -less); related to Middle Dutch roekeloos, Old High German ruahhalōs

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 reckless

reckless

adj.

Old English receleas "careless, thoughtless, heedless," earlier reccileas, from *rece, recce "care, heed," from reccan "to care" (see reck (v.)) + -less. The same affixed form is in German ruchlos, Dutch roekeloos "wicked." Root verb reck (Old English reccan) is passing into obscurity.

reckless

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of reckless

Examples from the Web for reckless

reckless

adjective

Word Origin for reckless

reckless