reckless

Everyday

1. Doing dangerous things without caring or thinking about what could go wrong. tree →
2. Done in a careless, risky way: reckless driving, reckless spending. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety lessons, reckless behaviour — like riding a bike in traffic without a helmet, or running across a road — can hurt you or others. In law, "reckless driving" is a crime. In stories, a reckless character is brave but foolish and often gets into trouble. Phrases: reckless driving, reckless behaviour, reckless with money, reckless disregard.

Examples

• It was reckless to climb the cliff without a rope. tree →
• The driver was fined for reckless driving. tree →
• Don't be reckless — look both ways before you cross. tree →
• He was reckless with his pocket money and spent it all in one day. tree →
• The reckless knight charged at the dragon without a plan. tree →
• Swimming alone in the sea at night is reckless. tree →
• They were a pair of reckless fellows, who always had something foolish to do. tree →

Note

Adverb: recklessly. Noun: recklessness. The "reck" part is an old word meaning "care", so reckless = without care. Reckless is stronger than careless: careless means not paying attention; reckless means ignoring a danger.