C1adjectiveformalworklaw
US/ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒənt/
UK/ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒənt/
not taking enough care, especially when it is your duty to do so
In context
The hospital was found negligent after a patient was given the wrong medicine.
The court ruled that the building company had been negligent in its safety checks.
Employers who ignore dangers at work can be held negligent if someone is injured.
Words that go with negligent
adjective + preposition
- negligent innot careful enough about a dutyThe hospital was found negligent in its care of the patient.
adverb + adjective
- grossly negligentextremely careless in a way that causes harmThe court ruled that the company was grossly negligent.
- criminally negligentso careless that it counts as a crimeThe owner was held criminally negligent after the fire.