remiss

[ ri-mis ]

/ rɪˈmɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR remiss ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

negligent, careless, or slow in performing one's duty, business, etc.: He's terribly remiss in his work.

characterized by negligence or carelessness.

lacking force or energy; languid; sluggish.

Nearby words

reminiscence, reminiscent, reminiscential, remiped, remise, remiss, remissible, remission, remissive, remit, remitt.

Origin of remiss

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin remissus (past participle of remittere to send back, slacken, relax); see remit

SYNONYMS FOR remiss

1, 2 derelict, thoughtless, lax, slack, neglectful.

3 dilatory, slothful, slow.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR remiss ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·miss·ly, adverbre·miss·ness, nouno·ver·re·miss, adjectiveo·ver·re·miss·ly, adverb

o·ver·re·miss·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for remiss

But I would be remiss if I didn't mention what gives me hope from this case.
For Ricky Jackson, a Just Verdict—But 39 Years Too Late|Cliff Schecter|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I would be remiss not to mention David Wenham, who played Al.
Elisabeth Moss Reveals Four Tough Challenges in Making ‘Top of the Lake’||August 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And I'd be remiss not to direct you a display of animal behavior in action.
Meet Germany's Wolf Man|Justin Green|January 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Porton: I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about your recent efforts to take Playboy private.
Hugh Hefner's Legacy|Richard Porton|July 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST

And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated.
Obama's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech|Barack Obama|December 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Hence the States were remiss in furnishing their quotas of men and money.
Life And Times Of Washington, Volume 2|John Frederick Schroeder
Having been remiss in her duty, Miss Lupton was salving her conscience by being extra severe now.
The Highgrader|William MacLeod Raine
Surely Bilton had not been so remiss as not to have seen that fresh lilies were put in the green room!
The Career of Katherine Bush|Elinor Glyn
Mr. Grant (the overseer) and his wife had not been remiss in their duty to the sick girl.
Alone|Marion Harland
Giusippe and I have been both rude and remiss, haven't we, Giusippe?
The Story of Glass|Sara Ware Bassett

British Dictionary definitions for remiss

remiss

/ (rɪˈmɪs) /

adjective (postpositive)

lacking in care or attention to duty; negligent

lacking in energy; dilatory

Derived Forms

remissly, adverbremissness, noun

Word Origin for remiss

C15: from Latin remissus from remittere to release, from re- + mittere to send

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