# malpractice

/mæɫˈpɹæktəs/ (US) · /mˌælpɹˈæktɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/malpractice
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical negligence

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

when a doctor or nurse makes a serious mistake that hurts a patient.

For teachers: the improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment by a medical practitioner.

- The surgeon was sued for malpractice after he operated on the wrong leg.
- The hospital faced a massive malpractice suit following allegations that the surgical team had ignored standard safety protocols during the procedure.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'medical malpractice'.

### 2. professional misconduct

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

illegal or dishonest behavior by someone in a position of power, like a lawyer or official.

For teachers: improper or unethical conduct by a professional or official person, often involving a breach of trust or duty.

- The lawyer was accused of legal malpractice for losing his client's money.
- The regulatory body investigated the firm for administrative malpractice after several million dollars went missing from the pension fund.

## Examples

- The doctor faced a lawsuit for medical malpractice.
- The law firm was investigated for legal malpractice after failing to file the client's documents before the court deadline.
- Proving professional malpractice requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that the practitioner deviated from the accepted standard of care and that this deviation directly caused the resulting damages.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.