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
These research projects, ongoing at UCF, could be among the research hit by the budget ax being wielded by careless hands — part of a nationwide strike against grants funded by the National Institutes of Health.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2025
The program has faced consequences of careless actions even before that, said Benjamin Chevat, executive director at Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act.
—Nancy Cutler, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
This week on The Bachelor, tempers (and dresses) were short — and a careless comment from Rose sent Carolina into a spiral.
—EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Wyatt, hired in 2002 as an Ocean Rescue officer, had his driver’s license suspended in June of 2023 after a traffic citation over careless driving in downtown Delray Beach, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for careless 
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Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2025
The program has faced consequences of careless actions even before that, said Benjamin Chevat, executive director at Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act.
—Nancy Cutler, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
This week on The Bachelor, tempers (and dresses) were short — and a careless comment from Rose sent Carolina into a spiral.
—EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Wyatt, hired in 2002 as an Ocean Rescue officer, had his driver’s license suspended in June of 2023 after a traffic citation over careless driving in downtown Delray Beach, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 9 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 24 Feb. 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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