carelessly

/ˈkeələsli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkerləsli/ (ame, ipa)

carelessly — adverb

1. done with too little focus on the details, so that mistakes or accidents happen.

1.副詞B1
釋義

done with too little focus on the details, so that mistakes or accidents happen.

例句

Rachid carelessly left his keys on the bus and had to call a locksmith.

carelessly left — common pattern with verbs of misplacement

Papers blew off the desk because someone had carelessly left the window open.

同義詞
  • negligently

    more formal, used in legal or official contexts

  • recklessly

    stronger; implies knowingly ignoring danger

  • thoughtlessly

    focuses on lack of consideration for consequences or others

  • heedlessly

    literary; suggests ignoring warnings or advice

反義詞
  • carefully

    direct opposite in all contexts

  • cautiously

    emphasises avoiding danger rather than just paying attention

文法句型

carelessly + verb

verb + carelessly

用法筆記

Frequently pairs with verbs of handling or management (leave, drop, forget, spill, handle, enter). The action nearly always carries unintended negative consequences for the subject or someone else.

常見錯誤

❌She carelessly walked through the park' (ambiguous — could sound like she was negligent).
✅She strolled carelessly through the park
💡adding context makes the relaxed meaning clear. 'Carelessly' can mean either 'without attention' or 'in a relaxed way'; add enough context to avoid confusion.

2. seeming relaxed and unhurried, as if you feel no worry and are not making a spec

2.副詞C1
釋義

seeming relaxed and unhurried, as if you feel no worry and are not making a special effort.

例句

Élise carelessly tossed her scarf over one shoulder and stepped onto the stage.

describes a casual, effortless gesture

The singer's hair fell carelessly around her face as she bowed to the audience.

position after the verb for descriptive effect

同義詞
  • casually

    more common and less ambiguous; no risk of the 'negligent' reading

  • nonchalantly

    captures the 'calm and unconcerned' aspect more precisely

  • effortlessly

    emphasises the skill or natural quality behind the relaxed appearance

反義詞
  • stiffly

    opposite of the relaxed, free-moving quality

  • anxiously

    opposite of the worry-free quality

  • formally

    opposite of the casual, natural quality

文法句型

carelessly + verb

verb + carelessly

carelessly + past participle

carelessly + adjective

用法筆記

Context determines the shade of meaning. Describing a person's gesture or posture as carelessly done suggests a natural, relaxed grace. Describing the completion of a task as carelessly done may imply the person put in little effort. The speaker's tone and the surrounding details clarify whether the meaning is positive (effortless) or mildly negative (uninterested).

常見錯誤

❌He carelessly drove to work' (sounds like he drove dangerously).
✅He drove to work feeling carefree
💡use the adjective 'carefree' (not the adverb 'carelessly') to mean relaxed and without worry.