Word
carelessness
Phoneticscare·less·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɛɹɫəsnəs/
UK/kˈeələsnəs/
Definition
n. the quality of not being careful. It describes a lack of attention to detail or a failure to follow rules.
n. the quality of being unskilled or inattentive; a lack of caution or precision.
Examples
“His carelessness caused the accident.”
“The manager warned the team that their carelessness with the equipment could lead to expensive repairs.”
“While the artist's technical skill was undeniable, the carelessness in the final brushstrokes suggested a lack of focus during the painting's completion.”
Examples
simple
“His carelessness caused the accident.”
contextual
“The manager warned the team that their carelessness with the equipment could lead to expensive repairs.”
complex
“While the artist's technical skill was undeniable, the carelessness in the final brushstrokes suggested a lack of focus during the painting's completion.”
Etymology
From Middle English carelesnes, carlesnesse, from Old English carlēasnes (“freedom from care, security, carelessness”), equivalent to careless + -ness.
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/carelessness