irresponsible
UK: ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbl | US: ˌɪrɪˈspɑːnsəbl
adj. lacking a sense of responsibility; not accountable for actions or consequences
adj. (of an action or attitude) marked by disregard for obligations or outcomes
irresponsible = ir<not> + respons<answer> + ible<capable of>
- ir<not>: A prefix of negation, derived from Latin in- (not).
- respons<answer>: From Latin respondere (to answer, promise in return), reflecting accountability.
- ible<capable of>: A suffix indicating ability, from Latin -ibilis.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin responsum (answer), reflecting the idea of being "answerable" for one’s actions. The prefix ir- negates this, creating a term for someone who avoids accountability. Over time, responsible (capable of answering) evolved into its opposite, irresponsible, emphasizing a failure to meet obligations.
Leaving the project unfinished was irresponsible of the team leader.
His irresponsible spending habits led to massive debt.
The journalist criticized the government’s irresponsible policies.
Teenagers often act irresponsibly under peer pressure.
An irresponsible driver caused the accident by ignoring traffic rules.