What does reckless mean?
Reckless describes behavior that shows a serious disregard for consequences, danger, or the safety of others. The word is often associated with dangerous driving, irresponsible spending, impulsive decisions, and acts performed without adequate thought. It is stronger and more condemnatory than careless: a careless person may simply forget something, whereas a reckless person acts in a way that exposes others to obvious or substantial risk. Reckless can also describe a decision or strategy that ignores possible consequences in pursuit of speed, profit, excitement, or convenience. In legal and public contexts, it can suggest conduct that is not merely careless but gravely irresponsible. The word is well established in both British and American English and can be used before a noun or as a predicate adjective. Its historical connection to the idea of being “without care” gives it a forceful moral dimension as well as its practical meaning of acting without prudent consideration.
adjectiveShowing a lack of care for consequences, danger, or the safety of others.
- Showing disregard for consequences, danger, or the safety of others.
"His reckless driving endangered everyone on the road."
"The company was accused of making a reckless decision that put thousands of jobs at risk."
"He took several reckless shortcuts through the mountain pass and narrowly avoided a crash."
At its root, reckless means “without care”—a compact warning that consequences do not disappear just because someone refuses to think about them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reckless come from?
Reckless descends from Old English recclēas, an adjective meaning “without care or regard,” formed from elements associated with care and the absence of that care. It continued in Middle English as rekles and developed its strong modern association with danger and irresponsible action. The English word reck, now archaic but once meaning “to care,” and cognates such as German recklos and Dutch roekeloos reflect related Germanic origins concerned with care or regard.
Related word forms
How reckless is actually used
The adjective is strongly negative and is especially common in reports of dangerous behavior, financial decisions, and actions that ignore foreseeable harm. It is generally more emphatic than careless and is frequently used before a noun, as in “a reckless decision,” although it can also follow a linking verb.
Easily confused with reckless
Careless can describe general negligence or inattention, whereas reckless more strongly suggests a disregard for serious consequences, danger, or other people's safety.