improvident

adjective

im·​prov·​i·​dent (ˌ)im-ˈprä-və-dənt How to pronounce improvident (audio)
-ˌdent
: not provident : not foreseeing and providing for the future
improvidently adverb

Examples of improvident in a Sentence

Her improvident habits left her with no retirement savings. the improvident view that the wearing away of the ozone layer need not concern us
Recent Examples on the Web Going that route is improvident. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 5 Mar. 2022 Unsurprisingly, Peter proves to be nasty, brutish and improvident. Joanne Kaufman, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022 The Flynn plea on Dec. 1, 2017 was improvident and should not have been accepted by the court. WSJ, 13 May 2018 Designed by the brilliant (if improvident) Donald McKay, the ship was 235 feet long with a main mast nearly 100 feet tall. Randall Fuller, WSJ, 19 July 2018 Thus, the improvident plea as drafted and signed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller was defective on its face and should have been unacceptable by the court. WSJ, 13 May 2018 The history of emerging markets is full of imprudent investors as well as improvident borrowers. The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improvident.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin improvident-, improvidens, from Latin in- + provident-, providens provident

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvident was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near improvident

Cite this Entry

“Improvident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvident. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

improvident

adjective
im·​prov·​i·​dent (ˈ)im-ˈpräv-əd-ənt How to pronounce improvident (audio)
-ə-ˌdent
: not providing or saving up for the future
improvidently adverb

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