Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Failing to give proper care or attention to something that requires it: Describes a person or their behavior that does not fulfill a duty, responsibility, or obligation due to carelessness or lack of attention.
   • Not showing due care or attention: Characterized by a lack of attentiveness or thoroughness, often leading to omissions or errors.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The report criticized the neglectful management of the project.
  • He was neglectful of his duties as a supervisor.
  • Neglectful parents can put their children at risk.
  • She felt guilty for being neglectful of her friend's needs.

Advanced Usage

• "neglectful of": This is the most common construction, used to specify the duty, person, or thing that is being neglected.
  • The company was found neglectful of basic safety standards.
  • He has been neglectful of his health lately.

Variants and Related Words

• Neglect (verb/noun): The act or state of neglecting.
  • Verb: She neglected to lock the door.
  • Noun: The building fell into a state of neglect.
• Negligence (noun): The quality or state of being negligent; often used in legal contexts.
  • The accident was caused by driver negligence.
• Negligent (adjective): Failing to take proper care; often interchangeable with "neglectful," but can imply a more legal or formal breach of duty.
  • The doctor was found to be negligent in his care.

Synonyms

• Derelict: Willfully neglectful, especially of duty.
• Remiss: Lacking care or attention to duty; negligent.
• Inattentive: Not paying proper attention.
• Careless: Not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors.
• Delinquent (in this context): Neglectful of a duty or obligation.

Antonyms

• Attentive: Paying close attention.
• Conscientious: Wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
• Diligent: Having or showing care in one's work or duties.
• Responsible: Capable of being trusted to do what is right or to do the things that are expected or required.

Related Phrases

• To be neglectful of one's duties/responsibilities: A standard phrase indicating a failure to perform required tasks.
  • An employee who is consistently neglectful of their responsibilities may face dismissal.

Adjective

1. failing in what duty requires
   • derelict (or delinquent) in his duty
   • neglectful of his duties
   • remiss of you not to pay your bills
2. not showing due care or attention
   • inattentive students
   • an inattentive babysitter
   • neglectful parents