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
The deal does not however, require her to testify against Samantha, who is still facing 17 felonies, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, careless driving and speeding.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
The careless boating misdemeanors carry a penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Brandon Howey was found guilty of four counts of careless driving resulting in death and four counts of careless driving resulting in injury, all traffic offenses, by an Adams County jury in November.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025
Of those fires, careless cooking was the most common factor.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for careless 
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Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
The careless boating misdemeanors carry a penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Brandon Howey was found guilty of four counts of careless driving resulting in death and four counts of careless driving resulting in injury, all traffic offenses, by an Adams County jury in November.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025
Of those fires, careless cooking was the most common factor.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 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 13 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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