Definition

Noun: 1. Lack of attention; failure to pay close attention: The state or act of not focusing one's mind or senses on something. 2. Neglect; heedlessness: A disregard or failure to notice or consider something.

Usage

Inattention is an uncountable noun used to describe a general state or quality of not paying attention. It is often used to explain errors, accidents, or oversights.

Examples

• The accident was caused by the driver's inattention to the road signs.
• A moment of inattention while cooking can lead to a kitchen fire.
• The teacher noted the student's inattention during the important lecture.
• His inattention to detail resulted in several mistakes in the report.

Advanced Usage

• Criminal negligence: In legal contexts, can be a component of negligence. >
• Medical/Clinical context: Used to describe a symptom, often paired with hyperactivity. >

Variants and Related Words

• Inattentive (adjective): Not paying attention. >
• Inattentively (adverb): In a manner showing a lack of attention. >

Synonyms

• Neglect: The failure to care for or give proper attention to something.
• Heedlessness: A lack of careful attention.
• Distraction: A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else (focuses on the cause, while is the state).
• Preoccupation: The state of being absorbed in thought about something else.

Antonyms

• Attention: The act or state of applying the mind to something.
• Alertness: The quality of being vigilant and quick to notice.
• Care: Serious attention or consideration applied to avoid harm or error.
• Concentration: The action or power of focusing one's attention.

Idioms and Phrases

• A lapse of inattention: A brief or temporary failure to pay attention. >

Noun

1. lack of attention