What does "negligence" mean?

1. (general lack of care) the state of being careless or failing to give enough attention to something you are responsible for. 2. (legal breach of duty) a legal situation where someone fails to act with the care required by law, causing harm to another person.

How do you use "negligence"?

Often used with the preposition 'in' or 'of'. Commonly appears in the phrases 'contributory negligence' or 'gross negligence'.

negligence

US //ˈnɛɡɫədʒəns// UK //nˈɛɡlɪdʒəns// neg·li·gence

1 general lack of care (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the state of being careless or failing to give enough attention to something you are responsible for.

the state or quality of being negligent; a general failure to exercise proper care or attention in one's duties or actions.

Example

The accident was caused by the driver's negligence in checking his mirrors.

Example

The report concluded that the disaster was the direct result of systemic negligence within the maintenance department over several years.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'in' or 'of'.
- carelessness
- laxity
- disregard
- diligence
- attentiveness
2 legal breach of duty (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

a legal situation where someone fails to act with the care required by law, causing harm to another person.

a tort consisting of the breach of a duty of care owed to another, which causes injury or loss to that person.

Example

The company was sued for professional negligence after the building collapsed.

Example

To succeed in a claim for negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care and that the breach caused actual damage.

Usage

Commonly appears in the phrases 'contributory negligence' or 'gross negligence'.
- malpractice
- breach of duty

Origin

From Middle English necligence, negligence, from Old French negligence, from Latin neglegentia.