Standard Lemma guide

neglectful

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: N IH0 G L EH1 K T F AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Tending to neglect; failing to take care of matters which require attention; forgetful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 243a-b, That they were too neglectful of ordinary people like us and overlooked us.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

failing in what duty requires

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • derelict (or delinquent) in his duty
  • neglectful of his duties
  • remiss of you not to pay your bills

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: derelict, delinquent, remiss

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

not showing due care or attention

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • inattentive students
  • an inattentive babysitter
  • neglectful parents

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inattentive

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From neglect + -ful.

Across languages

Translations

26 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Albanian: mbasdorës — tending to neglect
  • Bulgarian: небрежен (nebrežen) — tending to neglect
  • Catalan: negligent — tending to neglect
  • Esperanto: neglektema — tending to neglect
  • Finnish: piittaamaton — tending to neglect
  • Finnish: leväperäinen — tending to neglect
  • Finnish: löyhäkätinen — tending to neglect
  • French: négligent — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: დაუდევარი (daudevari) — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: უგულისყურო (ugulisq̇uro) — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: ყურწაგდებული (q̇urc̣agdebuli) — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: უყურადღებო (uq̇uradɣebo) — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: უზრუნველი (uzrunveli) — tending to neglect
  • Georgian: უდარდელი (udardeli) — tending to neglect
  • German: nachlässig — tending to neglect
  • Irish: neamartach — tending to neglect
  • Italian: negligente — tending to neglect
  • Malay: cuai — tending to neglect
  • Malay: lalai — tending to neglect
  • Malay: alpa — tending to neglect
  • Malay: lepa — tending to neglect
  • Norwegian Bokmål: forsømmelig — tending to neglect
  • Norwegian Bokmål: skjødesløs — tending to neglect
  • Polish: niedbały — tending to neglect
  • Portuguese: negligente — tending to neglect
  • Spanish: negligente — tending to neglect