negligent

/ˈneɡlɪdʒənt/

failing to take proper care or attention

The doctor was found negligent for not diagnosing the patient's condition in time.

The doctor failed to provide proper care, leading to legal consequences.

Law

formal

Failing to exercise reasonable care, attention, or caution in performing a duty or task.

The company was sued for negligent hiring after an employee harmed a customer.

The company failed to properly screen the employee, leading to legal action.

In legal contexts, negligence often involves a breach of duty that results in harm.

general

Careless or indifferent in one's actions or responsibilities.

She was negligent in her work, often missing deadlines.

She did not take her responsibilities seriously, leading to poor performance.

Collocations

negligent behavioractions showing a lack of carenegligent dutyfailure to fulfill a responsibility properly

a death caused by carelessness or recklessness

accidentally firing a gun

In legal contexts, negligence often involves a breach of duty, while in general use, it refers to carelessness.

In law, negligence requires proving a duty of care, a breach, causation, and harm.

From Latin 'negligentem', meaning 'careless', from 'negligere' (to neglect).

Often used in legal contexts to describe a failure to meet a standard of care.

neglig-

careless

root

-ent

having the quality of

suffix

English Dictionary