Word
negligence
Phoneticsneg·li·gence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɛɡɫədʒəns/
UK/nˈɛɡlɪdʒəns/
Definitions
01general lack of care
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the state of being careless or failing to give enough attention to something you are responsible for.
n. the state or quality of being negligent; a general failure to exercise proper care or attention in one's duties or actions.
“The accident was caused by the driver's negligence in checking his mirrors.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02legal breach of duty
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. a legal situation where someone fails to act with the care required by law, causing harm to another person.
n. a tort consisting of the breach of a duty of care owed to another, which causes injury or loss to that person.
“The company was sued for professional negligence after the building collapsed.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“But another question remains unresolved: Can the person controlling the ship from shore also be sued directly for negligence?” “The suits alleged negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and infliction of emotional distress.” Etymology
From Middle English necligence, negligence, from Old French negligence, from Latin neglegentia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/negligence