carelessly B1 Topic:Mind & Cognition US /ˈkɛɹləsli/ UK /ˈkɛələsli/ See IPA manual Freq #24977 Meanings 1 adv In a way that shows a lack of attention or care. He carelessly left the door unlocked all night. 2 adv In a relaxed, untidy way that looks effortless. The papers were carelessly strewn across the table. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · in a way that shows a lack... heedlesslyincautiously Etymology AI details From careless + -ly. Topics Mind & Cognition External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # carelessly **Type:** Word **Level:** B1 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ˈkɛɹləsli/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈkɛələsli/ **Frequency rank:** 24977 ## Meanings 1. In a way that shows a lack of attention or care. 2. In a relaxed, untidy way that looks effortless. ## Examples - He carelessly left the door unlocked all night. - The papers were carelessly strewn across the table. ## Etymology From careless + -ly. ## AI Etymology Carelessly is from careless plus -ly. The suffix -ly recasts careless as an adverb: the lexical idea remains recognizable, but the word now describes manner, degree, or circumstance rather than naming the quality by itself. In use as an adverb, carelessly denotes in a way that shows a lack of attention or care and in a relaxed, untidy way that looks effortless. Typical contexts include “He carelessly left the door unlocked all night” and “The papers were carelessly strewn across the table”. ## Topics - Mind & Cognition markdown