Advertisement
Advertisement
neglect
[ ni-glekt ]
verb (used with object)
- to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight:
The public neglected his genius for many years.
Synonyms:
- to be remiss in the care or treatment of:
to neglect one's family; to neglect one's appearance.
- to omit, through indifference or carelessness:
to neglect to reply to an invitation.
- to fail to carry out or perform (orders, duties, etc.):
to neglect the household chores.
- to fail to take or use:
to neglect no precaution.
noun
- an act or instance of neglecting; disregard; negligence:
The neglect of the property was shameful.
Synonyms: , ,
Antonyms: ,
- the fact or state of being neglected:
a beauty marred by neglect.
Synonyms: , ,
neglect
/ ɪˈɡɛ /
verb
- to fail to give due care, attention, or time to
to neglect a child
- to fail (to do something) through thoughtlessness or carelessness
he neglected to tell her
- to ignore or disregard
she neglected his frantic signals
noun
- lack of due care or attention; negligence
the child starved through neglect
- the act or an instance of neglecting or the state of being neglected
Derived Forms
- Աˈٱ, noun
Other Word Forms
- Ա·Ļ· adverb
- Ա·Ļ·Ա noun
- Ա·İ Ա·tǰ noun
- v·Ա· verb (used with object)
- n· verb (used with object)
- ܲȴ-Ա·Ļ adjective
- -Ա· adjective
- -Ա·ing adjective
- ܲn·Ļ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of neglect1
Word History and Origins
Origin of neglect1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
"I think working class people are sort of neglected, where it's like we're going to put all these things in place and they don't see it through," he said.
"Ukraine neglected the continent in terms of foreign policy, but it has changed that over the last three years, doubling its embassies from 10 to 20," Mr Gruzd told the BBC.
But by selectively studying only a subset of bird species, and neglecting others, we widen the knowledge gap between them.
Experts say this is a crisis rooted not just in infrastructure, but in human behaviour, enforcement gaps and systemic neglect.
Renewed 35 times by March 2025, it has led to mass incarceration and overcrowded prisons, where reports of abuse and neglect are common.
Advertisement
More About Neglect
doesneglect mean?
Neglect means to fail to pay enough attention to someone or something or to not do enough to properly care for someone or something.
In terms of things, neglect usually means that you haven’t maintained them properly. To neglect your car is to fail to make sure it gets the maintenance it needs to keep running properly. To neglect your health is to fail to do anything to maintain it. To neglect your duties is to disregard them, often due to being preoccupied with other things.
When it’s used in the context of people, neglect implies a lack of attention and care. When you neglect a friend or romantic partner, it means you don’t spend enough time with them or you fail to consider or care about their emotional needs. However, the word neglect is often associated with even more serious situations. When the word is used in relation to the care of children, it means to fail to properly care for them in a way that’s equivalent to mistreatment or abuse. This is sometimes called negligence (which is a synonym of neglect and is based on the same root).
As a verb, neglect can also mean to fail to do something, such as through indifference, thoughtlessness, or carelessness. This sense of the verb is typically followed by another verb (in its infinitive form), as in I neglected to check a single box on the form and now I have to start over.
Neglect is also commonly used as a noun meaning the act or an instance of neglecting, as in These children are victims of neglect, or the state of being neglected, as in The house was in a state of neglect.
The adjective neglectful can be used to describe a person who neglects or their actions. The word neglected can also be used as an adjective, as in neglected children.
Example: After years of neglect, these pets are being adopted into loving homes.
Where doesneglect come from?
The first records of the word neglect come from the 1500s. It comes from the Latin Աŧٳܲ, from the verb neglegere, meaning “to disregard, ignore, slight.” The first part of the verb neglegere comes from a word meaning “not,” and its base word, legere, means “to pick up.”
If you neglect to pick up after yourself, you’ll end up with a mess. Neglecting things typically involves letting them fall into a state of disrepair or decay. Neglecting people is often more serious, and can involve physical or emotional neglect or both. Those commercials on TV that show neglected children or neglected animals are intended to make you empathetic so that you donate to help ensure that they are provided with proper care.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to neglect?
- neglectful (adjective)
- neglected (past tense verb, adjective)
- neglectedness (noun)
- neglecter (noun)
are some synonyms for neglect?
are some words that share a root or word element with neglect?
are some words that often get used in discussing neglect?
How isneglect used in real life?
Neglect is a common word that can be used in a variety of situations. When it’s used in relation to children, it usually implies abuse.
We're because children who have been neglected are more likely to suffer problems
— NSPCC (@NSPCC)
I gotta start eating 3 meals a day and stop neglecting my nutrition
— Gold Goddess (@Baetriot)
Never neglect the things that make you happy :)
— J (@JVCKJ)
Try usingneglect!
Which of the following things can result in a state of neglect?
A. lack of attention
B. lack of proper care
C. lack of maintenance
D. all of the above
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse