reckless
- 01 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.
Simple“The driver was arrested for reckless driving after he went through a red light.”
In context“The company's reckless expansion into international markets without proper research led to a significant financial crisis within two years.”
PitfallHe was reckless of his driving. He was reckless with his driving.Use 'with' when describing the activity or object someone is being careless about.
- 02 C1 Advanced
not caring about the effect your actions have on other people.
characterised by a lack of concern for the rights or safety of others.
Simple“The judge said the manager showed a reckless disregard for the safety of the workers.”
In context“The prosecution argued that the defendant acted with reckless indifference to human life, justifying a more severe charge than simple negligence.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage reckless behaviour
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.