negligent
adj.adj. failing to take enough care when doing something. You use this when someone's lack of attention causes a problem or a mistake.
adj. failing to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise under similar circumstances. Often carries legal implications regarding liability for resulting harm.
The driver was negligent for not stopping at the red light.
The court found the company negligent after they failed to maintain the safety equipment properly.
Legal experts argued that the hospital had been negligent in its hiring practices, leading to a series of avoidable errors in the emergency department.
From Middle English necligent, negligent, from Old French negligent, from Latin negligēns.
Often followed by the preposition 'in' or 'of' ('negligent in his duties', 'negligent of the risks').
he was negligencehe was negligentLearners often confuse the noun 'negligence' with the adjective 'negligent' when describing a person's behavior.