1
Core quality
Failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
Example
The inquiry found the operator negligent.
negligent
/ˈneɡlɪdʒənt/ · NEG-lih-juntadjective
Failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
Use negligent to express this relationship precisely: failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
What negligent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Negligent maintenance caused the equipment failure.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Forgetting one minor detail is not necessarily negligent.
Use negligent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The inquiry found the operator negligent.
Negligent maintenance caused the equipment failure.
Forgetting one minor detail is not necessarily negligent.
Precision Matters
Negligent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
negligent
vs.Means failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
haphazard
Means random, disorganised, and lacking a deliberate method.
negligent
vs.Means failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
complacent
Means excessively self-satisfied or unconcerned, especially about risks or the need to improve.
negligent
vs.Means failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
scrupulous
Means extremely careful about details, accuracy, or ethical correctness.
negligent
vs.Means failing to exercise the care, attention, or responsibility that a situation requires.
prudent
Means showing careful, wise judgment about risks, consequences, and future needs.
Test negligent in Context
The behaviour fails to show the required care and responsibility.
1
Ignoring repeated safety warnings was plainly ___ behaviour.