Word
carelessly
Phoneticscare·less·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɛɹɫəsɫi/
UK/kˈeələsli/
Definition
adv. in a way that shows you do not care about being careful or about the people and things around you.
adv. in a manner that lacks attention to detail or consideration for others and their safety.
Examples
“He carelessly left his keys on the table.”
“She carelessly dropped the fragile vase, which shattered into several sharp pieces on the floor.”
“The manager was reprimanded for carelessly neglecting the safety protocols, which ultimately led to a minor but preventable accident in the warehouse.”
Examples
simple
“He carelessly left his keys on the table.”
contextual
“She carelessly dropped the fragile vase, which shattered into several sharp pieces on the floor.”
complex
“The manager was reprimanded for carelessly neglecting the safety protocols, which ultimately led to a minor but preventable accident in the warehouse.”
Etymology
From careless + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/carelessly