inattention
in-uh-TEN-shun
/ˌɪn.əˈten.ʃən/
Failure to pay proper attention or take notice of something that warrants care.
Implies a passive slip, careless oversight, or natural deficit rather than deliberate malice.
The story behind the word. Inattention attaches the negative prefix 'in-' to 'attention' (from Latin 'attendere', to stretch toward). It literally describes a mind that fails to stretch itself toward the subject at hand.
Word relationships
- carelessness: Carelessness focuses on lack of caution; inattention focuses on lack of mental focus.
- attentiveness: Attentiveness is active, mindful focus on details.
Commonly confused with
- intention: Intention means purpose or aim; inattention means lack of focus.
Word family
- inattentive (adjective): Not paying attention.
- inattentively (adverb): Without due attention.
Collocations
- momentary inattention
- gross inattention
- due to inattention
- inattention blindness
Example sentences
- "Driver inattention remains one of the leading causes of minor traffic accidents worldwide." Road Safety
Memory hook
IN-attention means NOT stretching your mind outward. Not looking where you should.
When not to use
Do not use to describe deliberate philosophical rejection or open refusal to obey.
Fun facts
- 'Inattentional blindness' is a famous psychological phenomenon where people fail to notice an obvious object—like a person in a gorilla suit—right in front of them.
Related words
Explore more words
negligence, inadvertent, negligent, slight, heedless, indifferent
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