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
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2009, Woods was cited for careless driving.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
As police attempted to arrest a minor for careless driving, a large crowd surrounded officers, yelling profanities and racial slurs, the post says.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Longtime fans may recall that on Thanksgiving Night 2009, Woods’ Cadillac Escalade collided with a fire hydrant, tree and several bushes near his Central Florida home, and he was ticketed with careless driving.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for care less
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Adjective
Some of the problems stem from policies that prioritize product integrity over human comfort—say, banning water bottles nearby because a careless worker could spill one and ruin the fabric.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
In 2009, Woods was cited for careless driving.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
As police attempted to arrest a minor for careless driving, a large crowd surrounded officers, yelling profanities and racial slurs, the post says.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Longtime fans may recall that on Thanksgiving Night 2009, Woods’ Cadillac Escalade collided with a fire hydrant, tree and several bushes near his Central Florida home, and he was ticketed with careless driving.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
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 3 Apr. 2026.
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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