careless

UK: ˈkeələs | US: ˈkerləs

Definition

  1. adj. lacking attention or thought; not careful

  2. adj. done without effort or precision; negligent

Structure
care <concern>less <without>
Etymology

careless = care<concern> + less<without>

  • care (from Old English caru, meaning "sorrow, anxiety, concern") → evolved to denote attention or responsibility.
  • less (from Old English lēas, meaning "devoid of, free from") → a suffix indicating absence.

Etymology Origin:
The word "careless" emerged in Middle English by combining "care" (concern) with the suffix "-less" (without). It originally described someone free from worry but later shifted to imply negligence or lack of attention. The logic reflects how "absence of concern" became associated with recklessness.

Examples

  1. His careless mistake cost the company thousands.

  2. She tossed her bag onto the chair with careless ease.

  3. The report was full of careless errors.

  4. He drove with careless speed on the icy road.

  5. A careless remark can sometimes hurt deeply.