careless
/'keəlis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Marked by insufficient attention or consideration; not careful: Describes actions or behavior that show a lack of proper thought, attention, or thoroughness, often leading to errors or oversights.
- Effortless and unstudied; appearing natural and unconcerned: Describes a manner or style that is relaxed, easy, and without apparent effort or anxiety.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- He made a careless mistake in his calculations. (This shows a lack of thoroughness.)
- She is careless about her appearance. (This indicates a lack of attention or concern.)
- The dancer moved with careless grace. (This describes a natural, effortless style.)
- A careless remark can hurt someone's feelings. (This shows a lack of consideration.)
Advanced Usage
- "Careless of": Without due thought or consideration for something; heedless of.
- He was careless of the dangers involved. (He did not pay proper attention to the dangers.)
- "Careless about": Not giving proper attention or care to something.
- She is careless about keeping her room tidy. (She does not pay attention to tidiness.)
Variants and Related Words
- Carelessly (adverb): In a careless manner.
- He signed the document carelessly without reading it.
- Carelessness (noun): The quality or state of being careless; lack of care.
- The accident was caused by sheer carelessness.
Synonyms
- Heedless: Showing a reckless lack of care or attention.
- Negligent: Failing to take proper care in doing something.
- Slipshod: Characterized by a lack of care, thought, or organization.
- Thoughtless: Inconsiderate; not thinking of the needs of other people.
Antonyms
- Careful: Making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious.
- Attentive: Paying close attention to something.
- Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Related Phrases
- Careless whisper: A phrase popularized by a song title, often used to refer to a rumor or secret told without proper discretion.
- Careless talk: Conversation that is not guarded and may reveal secrets or cause harm.
- Careless talk costs lives. (A historical slogan warning against loose talk during wartime.)
Idioms
- To be careless with money: To spend or handle money without proper thought or planning.
- He has always been careless with money and is now in debt.
- A careless attitude: A general approach or mindset that lacks concern or attention.
- His careless attitude towards his studies is affecting his grades.
Adjective
- (usually followed by `of') without due thought or consideration
- careless of the consequences
- crushing the blooms with regardless tread
- effortless and unstudied
- an impression of careless elegance
- danced with careless grace
- marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
- careless about her clothes
- forgotten by some careless person
- a careless housekeeper
- careless proofreading
- it was a careless mistake
- hurt by a careless remark