careless
gb/kˈɛɹləs/ us/kˈɛɹləs/
B1
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Not paying enough attention
Not giving enough attention or care, so that mistakes or problems happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is careless with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'careless' with 'carefree'. 'Carefree' means relaxed and without worries, not lacking attention.
Synonyms
negligent (More formal and often used in legal or professional contexts for failing to take proper care.)
|
sloppy (Informal; suggests untidy or poorly done work due to lack of care.)
Antonyms
careful (Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or danger.)
|
cautious (Taking extra care to avoid problems or risks.)
Collocations
careless mistake
|careless driver
|careless with money
|careless attitude
Themes
daily life
|work
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- He made a careless mistake on the form.
- It was careless of you to leave the door unlocked.
- A careless driver caused the accident.
- She is often careless with her spelling.
- Careless handling of the machine can cause injury.
Learner examples
- I was careless and broke the glass.
- He made a careless mistake in the test.
- She is careless with her phone.
- It was careless to forget your keys.
- The boy was careless and lost his bag.
adjective
B2
property
2
Not concerned about seriousness
Not worrying about something that is important or serious.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is careless about [something]
Synonyms
reckless (Stronger; implies taking dangerous risks without thinking of the consequences.)
|
heedless (Formal; ignoring possible dangers or problems.)
Antonyms
concerned (Showing interest or worry about something important.)
|
responsible (Acting in a way that shows you understand and accept duties or consequences.)
Collocations
careless remark
|careless attitude
|careless disregard
Themes
attitudes
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He made a careless remark that offended her.
- Their careless attitude toward safety rules worries me.
- The company was accused of careless disregard for the environment.
- She gave a careless shrug, as if it didn’t matter.
- That was a careless thing to say in front of the boss.
Learner examples
- He made a careless joke about her.
- She is careless about her health.
- It was careless to speak like that.
- They have a careless attitude toward rules.
- He gave a careless answer in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
careless
IPA
GB/kˈɛɹləs/
US/kˈɛɹləs/
Syllables & stress
care - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (care)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: careless
Word family
Core family
Related words
carelessness
noun B1
caring
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncaring
adjective
Advanced or less common
carefulness
noun
Expressions
careless driving
1/kˈɛɹləs dɹˈaɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Driving without attention or caution
Driving in a way that is not safe because you are not paying enough attention.
Examples
- He was fined for careless driving after the accident.
- Careless driving can cause serious harm to others.
careless mistake
1/kˈɛɹləs mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Mistake from lack of care
A mistake that happens because someone did not pay enough attention.
Examples
- He lost the game because of a careless mistake.
- A single careless mistake can ruin your work.
careless with money
1/kˈɛɹləs wˈɪθ mˈʌni/
fixed phrase
Spending money without caution
Spending money without thinking carefully or being responsible.
Examples
- He’s always been careless with money, buying things he doesn’t need.
- If you’re careless with money, you may get into debt.