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careless

careless

4 3.1
A relaxed, natural style that seems effortless
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɛr.ləs/
translation icon : desenfadado
  • He's not necessarily a man for a heart-to-healt... but he's been a good friend to me in a time of need... and he's generous in his own careless way.
  • a careless gesture
  • a careless way
  • careless and free

Her little finger told her so, untangling with careless skill the flora of the sexual Grove.

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Examples

  • I wish I could be as free as the birds, as careless and carefree.

    Blog text (14)
  • Rhea was struck by the way Eunie ruled her own life, the careless power she had in the house.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • "What does it look like to you?" His voice was light and careless.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Whenever you like," said Robin in the most careless voice he owned.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Bill was calm, confident, he built his loop with careless ease.

  • The boat would take her closer to that life, bringing her back to the careless ease of cruising.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I couldn't free myself of the image of Jerome and his careless elegance.

  • And her face, too, is visible: her countenance careless and pensive, and musing and mirthful, and mocking and tender.

    Academic text (1992)
  • He'd been attracted immediately to Brian's intensity about music, and Johnno's caustic, careless wit.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • His hair falls in a careless cascade across his forehead, giving him an effortless charm.

Synonyms

unpretentious
vscareless
9 5.1

Simple and honest in style and not trying to impress people

shows effortless ease and natural grace rather than deliberate modesty
insouciant
vscareless
1 9.9

Being calm and not worried about things

presents relaxed, graceful ease rather than being indifferent
unpretending
vscareless
6.8

Simple and modest in style or behaviour

is graceful and seems effortless rather than just modest

Antonyms

21 4.6

Slow and careful in movement or speech

5.3

Someone plans or does it carefully and on purpose rather than naturally

How Effortless

effortless
26 2.6
careless
4 3.1
relaxed
241 1.0
casual
194 2.8
strained
4.2

Surface Forms

careless positive
carelesser comparative
carelessest superlative

Morphology

careless = care (semi-transparent) = care + less

Formally 'without care', but the sense 'effortless or unstudied' is a stylistic/metaphorical extension that is not fully predictable.

Etymology

The word careless also comes from care ('worry') plus -less ('without'), and a helpful way to remember the relaxed meaning is to think of someone 'without worry' who looks calm and natural. That's why careless can describe a relaxed or effortless style, like a natural pose or laugh.