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
His careless blind backhand pass in the neutral zone on a Blackhawks power play was intercepted and the Calgary Flames went down the ice to score their fifth goal of the game — and the fourth Jones was on for Monday night.
—Scott Powers, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
People with depression may be distracted on the road, have a slower reaction time, or have careless or impulsive driving behaviors, like hard braking or speeding.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 9 Jan. 2025
After a nearly year-long investigation by the FWC, the state cops that investigate boating accidents, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in August 2023 charged Pino with the three misdemeanor counts of careless boating, which carry a maximum sentence of 60 days in county jail and a $500 fine.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The two citations against the Dolphin star — a $129 fine for a seat-belt violation and a $179 fine for careless driving — were dismissed in November when the ticketing officer, Manuel Batista, didn’t show up in court.
—Howard Cohen, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for careless 
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Scott Powers, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
People with depression may be distracted on the road, have a slower reaction time, or have careless or impulsive driving behaviors, like hard braking or speeding.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 9 Jan. 2025
After a nearly year-long investigation by the FWC, the state cops that investigate boating accidents, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in August 2023 charged Pino with the three misdemeanor counts of careless boating, which carry a maximum sentence of 60 days in county jail and a $500 fine.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The two citations against the Dolphin star — a $129 fine for a seat-belt violation and a $179 fine for careless driving — were dismissed in November when the ticketing officer, Manuel Batista, didn’t show up in court.
—Howard Cohen, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
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 21 Jan. 2025.
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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