1
a
: free from care : untroubled
careless days
b
: indifferent, unconcerned
careless of the consequences
2
: not taking care
My brother was too careless of his charge.—
Shakespeare
Shakespeare3
: not showing or receiving care:
b
: unstudied, spontaneous
a careless grace
a careless glance
c
obsolete
: unvalued, disregarded
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of careless in a Sentence
He is a careless worker.
She was careless with my things.
It was a careless mistake.
a newspaper known for careless reporting
Recent Examples on the Web
Their rounded faces, their piercings and makeup, their lateness and absences and profuse, careless apologies—their vulnerability was almost intolerable.
—Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
Michigan fire statistics The leading cause of fire deaths in 2024 through early December are careless smoking (46%), followed by heating (16%) and explosion (16%), a report by Michigan Fire Inspectors Society said.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
Even the most advanced technologies can be undone by a single weak password, an unpatched device, or a careless click on a phishing email.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Bedard also committed a careless defensive-end turnover that served up a juicy chance for Danton Heinen — who scored two goals in the teams’ first meeting this season — but Söderblom made the save.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for careless 
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Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
Michigan fire statistics The leading cause of fire deaths in 2024 through early December are careless smoking (46%), followed by heating (16%) and explosion (16%), a report by Michigan Fire Inspectors Society said.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
Even the most advanced technologies can be undone by a single weak password, an unpatched device, or a careless click on a phishing email.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Bedard also committed a careless defensive-end turnover that served up a juicy chance for Danton Heinen — who scored two goals in the teams’ first meeting this season — but Söderblom made the save.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for careless
Dictionary Entries Near careless
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/careless. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
careless
adjective
care·less
ˈke(ə)r-ləs 
ˈka(ə)r-
1
: free from care : not troubled
2
: not taking proper care
a careless worker
3
: done, made, or said without proper care
a careless mistake
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
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