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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Songs aside, the true reason to pack into the Mojave tent was to watch one of the great guitar heroes skronk and wail throughout, whopping unexpected breaks and whoop-ready vocals with an aplomb that both feels careless and entirely cathartic.
—Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
He was charged with DUI with property damage, refusal to submit to a lawful urine test and careless driving.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Morrissey stole goals from the Blues and scored one himself, but those other veterans making careless plays with their sticks can’t say the same.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for care less
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Bain was cited in March 2024 for careless driving after causing a crash that led to the incapacitation of a 22-year-old woman, who later died after spending three months in a coma.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Songs aside, the true reason to pack into the Mojave tent was to watch one of the great guitar heroes skronk and wail throughout, whopping unexpected breaks and whoop-ready vocals with an aplomb that both feels careless and entirely cathartic.
—Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
He was charged with DUI with property damage, refusal to submit to a lawful urine test and careless driving.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Morrissey stole goals from the Blues and scored one himself, but those other veterans making careless plays with their sticks can’t say the same.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 10 Apr. 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 18 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
