neglect

play

verb ne·glect \ni-ˈglekt\

Definition of neglect

transitive verb
1 : to give little attention or respect to : disregard The building has been neglected for years.
2 : to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness The prison guard neglected his duty.

neglecter

noun

See neglect defined for English-language learners

See neglect defined for kids

Examples of neglect in a sentence

The building has been neglected for years.
The city has neglected the teacher shortage for too long.
The prison guard neglected his duty.

Origin and Etymology of neglect

Latin neglectus, past participle of neglegere, neclegere, from nec- not (akin to ne- not) + legere to gather — more at no, legend

First Known Use: 1529

Synonym Discussion of neglect

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention. habitually neglected his studies disregard suggests voluntary inattention. disregarded the wishes of his family ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. ignored the snide remark overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care. in my rush I overlooked a key example slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. slighted several major authors in her survey forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. forget what others say

neglect

noun ne·glect

Definition of neglect

1 : an act or instance of neglecting something
2 : the condition of being neglected

See neglect defined for English-language learners

Examples of neglect in a sentence

The park was overgrown and littered from years of neglect.
The parents were charged with child neglect.
The house is in a state of neglect.

Origin and Etymology of neglect

see ¹neglect

First Known Use: 1597

NEGLECT Defined for English Language Learners

neglect

play

verb ne·glect \ni-ˈglekt\

Definition of neglect for English Language Learners

: to fail to take care of or to give attention to (someone or something)
: to fail to do (something)

neglect

noun ne·glect

Definition of neglect for English Language Learners

: lack of attention or care that someone or something needs
: the condition of not being taken care of

NEGLECT Defined for Kids

neglect

play

verb ne·glect \ni-ˈglekt\

Definition of neglect for Students

neglected

;

neglecting

1 : to fail to give the right amount of attention to The property has been neglected.
2 : to fail to do or look after especially because of carelessness She neglected to say goodbye.

neglect

play

noun ne·glect

Definition of neglect for Students

1 : lack of attention or care to something or someone neglect of duty
2 : the state of not being looked after or given attention The house suffers from neglect.

Law Dictionary

neglect

noun ne·glect

Legal Definition of neglect

: a disregard of duty resulting from carelessness, indifference, or willfulness; especially : a failure to provide a child under one's care with proper food, clothing, shelter, supervision, medical care, or emotional stability — compare abuse 2, negligence