carelessness
Americannoun
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failure to pay enough attention to what one is doing; sloppiness.
Unlike unavoidable error, a “mistake” in an experiment is something known to be incorrect due to accident, carelessness, or ineptitude.
-
lack of accuracy or thoroughness.
The many instances of carelessness in the book (with references, dates, etc.) detract from its value.
-
the fact or quality of being said or done thoughtlessly or negligently.
You were too quick to make promises you can’t possibly fulfill—which only shows the carelessness of your remarks.
-
lack of regard or concern for something (usually followed by of, about, for, ortoward ).
He was repulsed by their carelessness and cruelty toward those less fortunate.
Her rudeness and arrogance betray her carelessness for other people's feelings.
-
effortless or artless quality.
She is a highly intelligent academic who nevertheless speaks with the simplicity and carelessness of a child.
Other Word Forms
- overcarelessness noun
Etymology
Origin of carelessness
First recorded before 1000; careless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
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.
He said the files were accessed due to "carelessness", using passwords shared on messaging apps.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
Chenoweth, who is as gleaming as a holiday ornament on Liberace’s Christmas tree, arrives at a canny balance of quixotic generosity and parvenu carelessness in her portrayal of a woman she refuses to lampoon.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2025
“The degree of carelessness is remarkable,” said Nikos Passas, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
Until recently considered a sign of carelessness or even stupidity, the error is now seen by some to be the indelible fingerprint of a human wordsmith.
From Slate • Aug. 20, 2025
That’s how every act of carelessness begins and ends.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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.
