Word
remiss
Phoneticsre·miss, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈmɪs/
UK/ɹɪmˈɪs/
Definition
adj. failing to do something you should do, especially part of your job or duty. You use it when someone forgets an important task or does not act with enough care.
adj. failing to fulfil a duty or expected action; negligent or careless through omission rather than intent.
Examples
“It is remiss of me to forget your birthday.”
“The manager was remiss in not checking the safety reports before the inspection.”
“It would be remiss to discuss the project's success without acknowledging the junior staff whose quiet work kept every deadline intact.”
Examples
simple
“It is remiss of me to forget your birthday.”
contextual
“The manager was remiss in not checking the safety reports before the inspection.”
complex
“It would be remiss to discuss the project's success without acknowledging the junior staff whose quiet work kept every deadline intact.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “remiss” in context.
Verb
01. be remiss
“Officials were remiss in enforcing basic food safety standards.”
verb + adj
02. consider remiss
“Voters considered the mayor remiss in addressing flood risks.”
verb + adj
03. feel remiss
“She felt remiss for missing her colleague's farewell presentation.”
verb + adj
04. remiss in duty
“The guard was dismissed for being remiss in duty overnight.”
adj + prep + noun
05. remiss to act
“The board was remiss to act on repeated safety warnings.”
adj + to + verb
Adjective
06. grossly remiss
“The hospital was found grossly remiss in monitoring high-risk patients.”
adv + adj
07. seriously remiss
“The committee was seriously remiss in declaring conflicts of interest.”
adv + adj
08. somewhat remiss
“I was somewhat remiss in keeping in touch after graduation.”
adv + adj
Noun
09. remiss conduct
“The inquiry condemned the remiss conduct of senior officers.”
adj + noun
10. be remiss in one's duty
“The council was accused of being remiss in its duty to tenants.”
11. it was remiss of me
“It was remiss of me not to reply to your email sooner.”
12. prove grossly remiss in oversight
“The regulator proved grossly remiss in its oversight of the bank.”
Usage
Typically predicative; often followed by 'in' + noun or gerund, or 'of' + person + 'to'-infinitive.
Real-World Examples
“It would be remiss to not question the durability of France's economic expansion in September, given the survey data suggest that underlying demand conditions remain frail.” “Yet it also feels remiss not to mention the fact that they’re being absolutely had.” “Some advisers, however, acknowledged they have been remiss and wanted to beef up their plans.” Etymology
From Middle English remisse, remysse, from Latin remissus (“languid, negligent”), perfect passive participle of remittō (“remit”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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