neg ‧ li ‧ gent /ˈneɡlɪdʒ ə nt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin , present participle of negligere ; ⇨ ↑ neglect 1 ]
1 . not taking enough care over something that you are responsible for, with the result that serious mistakes are made SYN irresponsible OPP responsible
negligent in (doing) something
The report stated that Dr Brady had been negligent in not giving the patient a full examination.
Mr Brown was found guilty of negligent driving.
2 . literary a negligent manner or way of dressing is careless, but in a pleasantly relaxed way:
He gave a negligent shrug.
—negligently adverb