careless
Adjective
Easy difficulty
What does “careless” mean?
adjective.not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in contexts related to personal responsibility or decision-making, emphasizing a lack of caution or attention that leads to negative consequences. It suggests a disregard for the potential impact of one's actions, distinguishing it from similar words like "negligent," which implies a failure to exercise expected care rather than a general lack of attention.
Common Confusions
Careless implies a general lack of attention or caution, while negligent usually suggests a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility that leads to harm or error.
Do not choose careless if the context emphasizes meticulousness or attention to detail rather than not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors.
Example Sentences
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Jessica was so careless that she put her shorts on backwards.