devil-may-care

devil–may–care

adjective

Definition of DEVIL-MAY-CARE

1

having a relaxed, casual manner <a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game>

Synonyms affable, breezy, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, low-pressure, mellow

Related Words carefree, casual, dégagé, lackadaisical, nonchalant, unaffected, unconcerned, unfussy, unperturbed, untroubled, unworried; familiar, homey (also homy), informal; flexible, lax, lenient, permissive, pliable, pliant, soft; accessible, approachable; imperturbable, nerveless, unflappable, unshakable; amicable, companionable, comradely, cordial, genial, hail-fellow-well-met, hearty, neighborly, warm, warmhearted

Near Antonyms ceremonious, decorous, formal, rigid, strict; anxious, bothered, distressed, worried; jittery, jumpy, nervous, skittish, tense

Antonyms high-strung, uptight

2

having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions <the devil-may-care speed with which he drives his sports car is going to cause a lot of grief someday>

Synonyms daredevil, devil-may-care, foolhardy, harum-scarum, hell-for-leather, irresponsible, kamikaze

Related Words adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, venturesome; hasty, headlong, hotheaded, impetuous, precipitate, rash, wild; blithe, carefree, happy-go-lucky, madcap, slaphappy; nonchalant, unconcerned, unworried; careless, freewheeling, heedless, inattentive, incautious, mindless, regardless, unheeding, unmindful; feckless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, unthinking

Near Antonyms careful, cautious, circumspect, heedful; overcareful, overcautious, timid

Antonyms responsible

3

having or showing freedom from worries or troubles <the devil-may-care attitude that some people have about needlessly contributing to global warming>

Synonyms blithe, debonair, devil-may-care, gay, happy-go-lucky, insouciant, lighthearted, lightsome, slaphappy, unconcerned

Related Words blasé (also blase), breezy, cavalier, nonchalant; casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, low-pressure, relaxed, unfussy

Near Antonyms earnest, grave, serious, serious-minded, somber (or sombre); careful, cautious, heedful, wary; anxious, concerned, upset, worried; long-suffering, overburdened, sorrowful

Antonyms careworn

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up devil-may-care? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).