negligence

[neg-li-juhns]

noun

1. the quality, fact, or result of being negligent; neglect.

   negligence in discharging one's responsibilities.

2. an instance of being negligent.

   a downfall brought about by many negligences.

3. Law.,  the failure to exercise that degree of care that, in the circumstances, the law requires for the protection of other persons or those interests of other persons that may be injuriously affected by the want of such care.

adjective

1. Law.,  pertaining to or involving a civil action for compensation for damages filed by a person who claims to have suffered an injury or loss in an accident caused by another's negligence.

   a negligence suit;

   a large negligence award.

negligence

/ ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being negligent

2. a negligent act

3. law a civil wrong whereby a person or party is in breach of a legal duty of care to another which results in loss or injury to the claimant

Other Word Forms

• nonnegligence noun
• overnegligence noun
• prenegligence noun
• supernegligence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of negligence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, variant of necligence, from Latin necligentia; negligent, -ence

Synonym Study

See neglect.

Example Sentences

The plaintiffs are alleging Civil Rights Act violations, unfair business practices, financial elder abuse as well as dependent adult abuse, labor code violations, wrongful termination, negligence and breach of contract.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors are seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages from Edison, alleging the company’s negligence caused both fires.

From Los Angeles Times

The jury took only about an hour to clear the Grammy-winning rapper of the allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as negligence and false imprisonment.

From BBC

They argue the programme validated his "most harmful and self-destructive thoughts", and the lawsuit accuses OpenAI of negligence and wrongful death.

From BBC

Ms Ellis sued the star in 2020 for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as negligence and false imprisonment.

From BBC

Related Words

• disregard 
• failure 
• laxity 
• neglect 
• oversight