care less
1 of 2phrase
: not to care
—used positively and negatively with the same meaning
I could care less what happens. = I couldn't care less what happens.
1
a
: free from care : untroubled
careless days
b
: indifferent, unconcerned
careless of the consequences
2
: not taking care
My brother was too careless of his charge.—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: not showing or receiving care:
b
: unstudied, spontaneous
a careless grace
a careless glance
c
obsolete
: unvalued, disregarded
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
Examples of care less in a Sentence
Adjective
He is a careless worker.
She was careless with my things.
It was a careless mistake.
a newspaper known for careless reporting
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Maass, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
The driver was cited with two counts of careless driving that led to injuries, KUSA reported.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Yes, Lionel’s a goofball who was careless with his copper business.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Presenting their work as credible is not merely careless.
—Inna Fishman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for care less
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Adjective
He is charged with careless driving resulting in death.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
The driver was cited with two counts of careless driving that led to injuries, KUSA reported.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Yes, Lionel’s a goofball who was careless with his copper business.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Presenting their work as credible is not merely careless.
—Inna Fishman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for care less
Cite this Entry
“Care less.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20less. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
careless
adjective
care·less
ˈke(ə)r-ləs 
ˈka(ə)r-
1
: free from care : not troubled
2
: not taking proper care
a careless worker
3
: done, made, or said without proper care
a careless mistake
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
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