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negligence

NEG-lih-juhnss /ˈnɛɡ.lɪ.dʒəns/

nounB2GRELSATTOEFL

formallegal

Failure to take proper care in doing something, resulting in damage or injury to another person.

Implies carelessness, oversight, or an unintended breach of a standard of care rather than malicious intent.

The story behind the word. From Latin neglegere, combining nec- ('not') and legere ('to pick up or choose'). It originally meant ignoring something or failing to pick it up. English jurisprudence adopted it to describe the failure to observe a standard of care required by law.

Word relationships

carelessness: Carelessness is general everyday inattention, whereas negligence implies a breach of a recognized legal duty of care.
dereliction: Dereliction specifically refers to the willful or negligent failure to perform a specific job duty.

diligence: Diligence is persistent and careful effort to satisfy duties.

Commonly confused with

recklessness: Negligence is failing to take reasonable care; recklessness involves consciously disregarding a known substantial risk.

Word family

negligent (adjective): Failing to take proper care
negligently (adverb): In a negligent or careless manner

Collocations

gross negligence
contributory negligence
comparative negligence
allegation of negligence

Example sentences

"The court ruled that the landlord's failure to repair the broken steps constituted clear negligence." Legal opinion on landlord obligations
"The board concluded that administrative negligence caused the accounting errors that led to the regulatory fine." Corporate audit report

Memory hook

NEGlect + LACK of diligence = NEGLIGENCE. Failing to pick up after your duty.

When not to use

Do not use for deliberate acts of harm or intentional crimes; use 'malice' or 'intent'.

Fun facts

The landmark 1932 Scottish case Donoghue v Stevenson established modern negligence law over a decomposed snail inside an opaque bottle of ginger beer.