carefree
gb/kˈɛɹfɹˌi/ us/kˈɛɹfɹˌi/
B2
English
gondtalan, felhőtlen, könnyelmű, felelőtlen
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels carefree; a carefree [smile/laugh]
On holiday, she finally felt carefree and relaxed.
A nyaraláson végre gondtalannak és nyugodtnak érezte magát.
He gave a carefree laugh, as if nothing could bother him.
Gondtalanul felnevetett, mintha semmi sem zavarhatná.
The children ran around the park with carefree energy.
Learner examples
I feel carefree on weekends.
Hétvégén gondtalannak érzem magam.
She has a carefree smile.
Felhőtlen a mosolya.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with careless (not careful and likely to make mistakes). Carefree is about not worrying, not about being negligent.
Meaning
not worried or anxious
Collocations
a carefree attitude
|a carefree life
|a carefree smile
|carefree laughter
|a carefree mood
|feel carefree
|seem carefree
|look carefree
|carefree days
|carefree summer
Synonyms
lighthearted (Emphasizes cheerfulness and lack of seriousness.)
|
untroubled (Emphasizes being unaffected by worries or problems.)
|
easygoing (Often focuses on a relaxed personality rather than a momentary feeling.)
|
happy-go-lucky (More informal; can imply a casual, unplanned approach to life.)
Antonyms
worried (Feeling concern or anxiety.)
|
anxious (Feeling nervous or uneasy about something.)
|
careworn (Showing signs of worry over time.)
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
Definition
happy and relaxed because you have no worries.
Feeling or showing no worry, anxiety, or stress; lighthearted.
B2
2
gondtalan
B2
Usage pattern:
a carefree [existence/lifestyle/childhood]
Before he had kids, he lived a carefree lifestyle and traveled whenever he wanted.
Mielőtt gyerekei lettek, gondtalan, kötetlen életet élt, és akkor utazott, amikor csak akart.
She missed the carefree days of university, when she had fewer responsibilities.
Hiányoztak neki az egyetem gondtalan napjai, amikor kevesebb felelőssége volt.
They dreamed of a more carefree existence outside the city.
Learner examples
I want a more carefree life.
Gondtalanabb életet szeretnék.
His childhood was carefree.
Gondtalan volt a gyerekkora.
Common mistake:
Carefree suggests freedom from responsibility; it can sound positive or (sometimes) slightly critical, depending on context.
Meaning
without responsibilities or commitments
Collocations
a carefree lifestyle
|a carefree existence
|a carefree childhood
|carefree single life
|a carefree student life
|a carefree summer
|live a carefree life
|the carefree days of youth
Synonyms
unencumbered (More formal; focuses on not being burdened by obligations.)
|
free (Broader; not limited or constrained (not necessarily about worries).)
|
footloose (Emphasizes freedom to travel or change plans easily.)
Antonyms
burdened (Having heavy responsibilities or worries.)
|
tied down (Restricted by commitments such as family or work.)
Themes
daily_life
|relationships
|work
Definition
having no big responsibilities, so you can do what you want.
Having few duties, responsibilities, or serious commitments, so life feels unconstrained.
C1
3
könnyelmű
C1
felelőtlen
B2
Usage pattern:
a carefree approach to [something]; be carefree about [something]
His carefree approach to money worried his partner.
A pénzhez való könnyelmű hozzáállása aggasztotta a partnerét.
She sounded carefree about the exam, but she hadn’t studied much.
Úgy beszélt a vizsgáról, mintha nem lenne fontos, pedig alig tanult rá.
They were carefree about safety rules until an accident happened.
Learner examples
Don’t be carefree about your homework.
Ne vedd félvállról a házi feladatodat.
He is too carefree with money.
Túl könnyelműen bánik a pénzzel.
Common mistake:
If you mean 'not careful' (e.g., with work), use careless, not carefree.
Meaning
casually unconcerned about consequences
Collocations
a carefree approach
|a carefree manner
|a carefree attitude to money
|carefree about deadlines
|carefree spending
|carefree decisions
Synonyms
nonchalant (Emphasizes appearing calm and unconcerned, sometimes too much.)
|
casual (Less formal; can imply not taking something seriously.)
|
heedless (Stronger and more negative; stresses ignoring warnings or consequences.)
Antonyms
cautious (Careful to avoid risk or mistakes.)
|
responsible (Taking duties and consequences seriously.)
Themes
personality
|behavior
|emotions
Definition
not thinking carefully about possible problems; too relaxed.
Not giving much thought to risks, consequences, or planning; sometimes suggesting a lack of seriousness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
carefree
IPA
GB/kˈɛɹfɹˌi/
US/kˈɛɹfɹˌi/
Syllables & stress
care - free (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (care)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: carefree
Word family
Related words
caring
adjective
carer
noun
caregiver
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
carefulness
noun
Expressions
a carefree attitude
1/ə kˈɛɹfɹˌi ˈætətˌud/
fixed phrase
relaxed, unworried outlook
a way of thinking that is relaxed and not worried.
Examples
- She has a carefree attitude toward small problems.
- His carefree attitude made it easy to work with him.
- They admired her carefree attitude to life.
Learner examples
- He has a carefree attitude.
- She has a carefree attitude toward mistakes.
a carefree lifestyle
1/ə kˈɛɹfɹˌi lˈaɪfstˌaɪl/
fixed phrase
life with few obligations
a way of living with few responsibilities.
Examples
- After quitting his job, he tried to live a carefree lifestyle by the sea.
- They marketed the resort as the perfect place for a carefree lifestyle.
- She didn’t want a carefree lifestyle; she wanted meaningful work.
Learner examples
- They live a carefree lifestyle.
- I want a carefree lifestyle.
a carefree smile
1/ə kˈɛɹfɹˌi smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
smile showing no worry
a smile that looks relaxed and unworried.
Examples
- She greeted them with a carefree smile.
- He tried to put on a carefree smile, but he looked tired.
- In the photo, everyone has a carefree smile.
Learner examples
- She has a carefree smile.
carefree days
1/kˈɛɹfɹˌi dˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
time without worries
a time when you had no worries.
Examples
- He often talked about the carefree days of his childhood.
- They spent a few carefree days by the lake.
- Looking back, those were carefree days before the business got serious.
Learner examples
- I remember the carefree days of school.
- We had carefree days on vacation.