What does "neglect" mean?
The act of neglecting.
Neglect
/nɪˈɡlɛkt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of neglecting.
- Grammar: neglect is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: carelessness, disregard, ignore, negligence.
- Useful contrasts: academic discipline research, academic enumeration, academic help.
- Usage evidence: You must account for your neglect of duty.
How to use "neglect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "neglect" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "neglect" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "neglect" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "neglect" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "neglect" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "carelessness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "neglect", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of neglecting. countable, uncountable
- 2 willful lack of care and attention wordnet
- 3 The state of being neglected. countable, uncountable
- 4 failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances wordnet
- 5 Habitual lack of care. countable, uncountable
"Fifteen participants argued that the neglect of discourse on relationships had major implications for the ability of adolescents to acquire courtship skills and maintain relationships. This neglect means that the students acquire knowledge and skills through the media and by observing and imitating others in their immediate environment."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern wordnet
- 7 lack of attention and due care wordnet
- 8 the state of something that has been unused and neglected wordnet
Verb
- 1 To fail to care for or attend to something. transitive
"to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay debts"
- 2 leave undone or leave out wordnet
- 3 To omit to notice; to forbear to treat with attention or respect; to slight. transitive
"to neglect strangers"
- 4 fail to attend to wordnet
- 5 To fail to do or carry out something due to oversight or carelessness. transitive
"A friend of mine who runs an intellectual magazine was grousing about his movie critic, complaining that though the fellow had liked The Godfather (page 58), he had neglected to label it clearly as a masterpiece."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 give little or no attention to wordnet
- 7 To ignore for the sake of simplifying calculations without significantly affecting accuracy. transitive
"We can neglect this term, as it approaches zero in the limit anyway."
- 8 fail to do something; leave something undone wordnet
Antonyms
academic discipline researchacademic enumerationacademic helpacademic research
Example
"You must account for your neglect of duty."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "neglect"?
Common synonyms include: carelessness, disregard, ignore, negligence, abandon, abandoning.
How do you use "neglect" in a sentence?
You must account for your neglect of duty.
How do you pronounce "neglect"?
Pronounced /nɪˈɡlɛkt/.
Etymology
The verb is inherited from Middle English neglect, neclect, derived from Latin neglēctus, perfect passive participle of neglegō (“to make light of, disregard, not to pick up”), itself from nec (“not”) + legō (“to pick up, select”). The noun is from neglēctus (“neglect”). First attested in 1460, the noun in 1588.