Meaning & use
neglect
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To fail to look after someone or something properly.
Grammar: Takes an object: neglect your health.
Patterns
- neglect someone
- neglect something
He neglected his garden all summer.
The owners were accused of neglecting their animals.
Don't neglect your health when you are busy.
verbtransitiveformal
To forget or fail to do something that you should do.
Grammar: Takes to plus a verb: neglect to lock the door.
Patterns
- neglect to do something
She neglected to mention the extra cost.
He neglected to reply to the invitation.
Many drivers neglect to check their tires.
noununcountable
The state of not being cared for, or a failure to look after something.
Grammar: Usually no plural: years of neglect.
Patterns
- neglect of something
- through neglect
The old house fell into neglect.
The charity helps children who suffer neglect.
The report blamed years of neglect for the damage.
Word forms
| third person singular | neglects |
|---|---|
| past tense | neglected |
| past participle | neglected |
| -ing form | neglecting |
Common combinations
- neglect your duties
- He was fired for neglecting his duties.
- years of neglect
- The park suffers from years of neglect.
- neglect a child
- Parents may be charged for neglecting a child.
- neglect to mention
- She neglected to mention the delay.
- benign neglect
- The policy was one of benign neglect.
- fall into neglect
- The building fell into neglect.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ignore
- Means to choose not to notice, while neglect means failing to care for.
- overlook
- Suggests missing something by accident.
- abandon
- Stronger, as it means leaving completely.
- disregard
- More formal, and about not paying attention to rules or warnings.
Opposites
Word family
- neglected adjective
- not cared for properly
- neglectful adjective
- failing to give proper care
- negligence noun
- failure to take proper care, often in law
Commonly confused: neglect or negligent?
neglect vs negligent
Negligent describes the careless person; neglect is the act or state.
Practice
Which sentence uses neglect to mean forgetting to do something?
Choose one answer.
Neglect to do something means failing to do it. The other sentences are about failing to care for something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neglect”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.