51Թ

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View synonyms for

neglect

[ ni-glekt ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight:

    The public neglected his genius for many years.

    Synonyms:

  2. to be remiss in the care or treatment of:

    to neglect one's family; to neglect one's appearance.

  3. to omit, through indifference or carelessness:

    to neglect to reply to an invitation.

  4. to fail to carry out or perform (orders, duties, etc.):

    to neglect the household chores.

  5. to fail to take or use:

    to neglect no precaution.



noun

  1. an act or instance of neglecting; disregard; negligence:

    The neglect of the property was shameful.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. the fact or state of being neglected:

    a beauty marred by neglect.

    Synonyms: , ,

neglect

/ ɪˈɡɛ /

verb

  1. to fail to give due care, attention, or time to

    to neglect a child

  2. to fail (to do something) through thoughtlessness or carelessness

    he neglected to tell her

  3. to ignore or disregard

    she neglected his frantic signals

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. lack of due care or attention; negligence

    the child starved through neglect

  2. the act or an instance of neglecting or the state of being neglected
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • Աˈ𳦳ٱ, noun
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Other 51Թ 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
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of neglect1

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin Ա𲵱ŧٳܲ, variant of Ա𳦱ŧٳܲ (past participle of neglegere, neclegere “to disregard, ignore, slight”), equivalent to nec “not” + leg-, base of legere “to pick up” + -tus past participle suffix
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of neglect1

C16: from Latin neglegere to neglect, from nec not + legere to select
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Synonym Study

See slight. Neglect, dereliction, negligence, remissness imply carelessness, failure, or some important omission in the performance of one's duty, a task, etc. Neglect and negligence are occasionally interchangeable, but neglect commonly refers to an instance, negligence to the habit or trait, of failing to attend to or perform what is expected or required: gross neglect of duty; negligence in handling traffic problems. Dereliction implies culpable or reprehensible neglect or failure in the performance of duty: dereliction in a position of responsibility. Remissness implies the omission or the careless or indifferent performance of a duty: remissness in filing a report on the accident.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Rebecca Gregory was jailed for three years last September after being convicted of the wilful neglect and ill-treatment of children, including threatening and pushing babies younger than one.

From

These include short-term family crises like an illness, or experiences such as abuse and neglect.

From

After their father was arrested, the kids lived temporarily with a family friend in Mexico, but they began to show signs of neglect, according to Jesus Leyva.

From

They were lifelines — a fragile but vital safety net for communities devastated by opioids, trauma, suicide and structural neglect.

From

Because of this mismatch, I argue that diversity displays don’t just neglect employees; they’re actually costly for employees of color.

From

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More About Neglect

What 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 Ա𳦱ŧٳܲ, 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 ... ?

What are some other forms related to neglect?

  • neglectful (adjective)
  • neglected (past tense verb, adjective)
  • neglectedness (noun)
  • neglecter (noun)

What are some synonyms for neglect?

What are some words that share a root or word element with neglect?

What 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.

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

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