What does "reckless" mean?

1. (careless of danger) doing something dangerous without worrying about the risks or results. 2. (indifferent to consequences) not caring about the effect your actions have on other people.

Is it correct to say "He was reckless of his driving."?

No — say "He was reckless with his driving.". Use 'with' when describing the activity or object someone is being careless about.

reckless

adj.

US //ˈɹɛkɫəs// UK //ɹˈɛkləs// reck·less

1 careless of danger (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

doing something dangerous without worrying about the risks or results.

acting or done without regard to consequences or danger; showing a lack of caution.

Example

The driver was arrested for reckless driving after he went through a red light.

Example

The company's reckless expansion into international markets without proper research led to a significant financial crisis within two years.
- rash
- impulsive
- heedless
Pitfall

He was reckless of his driving.

He was reckless with his driving.

Use 'with' when describing the activity or object someone is being careless about.
2 indifferent to consequences (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

not caring about the effect your actions have on other people.

characterised by a lack of concern for the rights or safety of others.

Example

The judge said the manager showed a reckless disregard for the safety of the workers.

Example

The prosecution argued that the defendant acted with reckless indifference to human life, justifying a more severe charge than simple negligence.
- irresponsible
- negligent
- responsible
- thoughtful

Origin

From Middle English rekles, reckeles, rekkeles, (also recheles), from Old English rēcelēas (“reckless, careless, negligent”), equivalent to reck + -less. Cognate with West Frisian roekeleas (“reckless”), Dutch roekeloos (“reckless”), German Low German ruuklos (“careless”), German ruchlos (“careless, notorious”).

Word family

Nounrecklessness
Adjectivereckless
Adverbrecklessly