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
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
She was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025
None of the livestock were injured in the crash, and the F350 driver was cited on suspicion of careless driving as a result of driving too fast for the conditions.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2025
Samantha faces 21 felony charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, careless driving and speeding, CBS News reported.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careless
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025
None of the livestock were injured in the crash, and the F350 driver was cited on suspicion of careless driving as a result of driving too fast for the conditions.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2025
Samantha faces 21 felony charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, careless driving and speeding, CBS News reported.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careless
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/careless. Accessed 11 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share