Word
reckless
Phoneticsreck·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛkɫəs/
UK/ɹˈɛkləs/
Definitions
01careless of danger
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. doing something dangerous without worrying about the risks or results.
adj. acting or done without regard to consequences or danger; showing a lack of caution.
“The driver was arrested for reckless driving after he went through a red light.”
“The company's reckless expansion into international markets without proper research led to a significant financial crisis within two years.”
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.
02indifferent to consequences
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
adj. not caring about the effect your actions have on other people.
adj. characterised by a lack of concern for the rights or safety of others.
“The judge said the manager showed a reckless disregard for the safety of the workers.”
“The prosecution argued that the defendant acted with reckless indifference to human life, justifying a more severe charge than simple negligence.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reckless” in context.
Real-World Examples
“One popular social media video has a Nigerian narrating how he stopped a speeding Dangote company lorry driver, telling him not to be reckless with company property.” “AI -linked stocks tumbled on Monday after the bosses of Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceX called for a slowdown in AI “reckless” development , citing fears the technology could soon run out of control.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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