imprudence

Everyday

1. Not being careful or sensible; doing things without thinking about the risks. tree →
2. An unwise act. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word for careless foolishness, often with money or danger. In The Wind in the Willows Toad's imprudence with motor-cars brings him into trouble, prison and loss of his home. In safety and money lessons, prudence (care) is the opposite.

Examples

• Spending all his pocket money on day one was an act of imprudence. tree →
• Toad's imprudence led him straight to prison. tree →
• Swimming alone in the sea was pure imprudence. tree →
• The judge spoke of the young man's imprudence. tree →
• The family's imprudence with money left them in debt. tree →
• We learned from our imprudence and packed raincoats next time. tree →
• Sometimes it is a victim's own imprudence, and not a parent's "hasty word," which has placed him in the power of the Evil One. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable. Adjective: imprudent; opposite: prudence, prudent (careful, sensible). Formal; everyday words: carelessness, foolishness, recklessness.