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Neglect

nəˈɡlɛkt
Common
~ 3500
~ 3500, Common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To fail to care for or pay attention to someone or something properly, To omit or disregard something intentionally, To fail to do something that should be done, To leave undone or unattended to

Neglect - Meanings

To fail to care for or pay attention to someone or something properly

Example: The parents were accused of neglecting their children's education.
Usage: formalContext: child welfare, healthcare, education
Note: Commonly used in serious contexts where proper care or attention is expected.

To omit or disregard something intentionally

Example: She neglected to mention the important details during the meeting.
Usage: formalContext: business, academic
Note: Often used in professional settings to indicate a deliberate lack of attention or consideration.

To fail to do something that should be done

Example: The company neglected to update its security protocols, leading to a data breach.
Usage: formalContext: business, maintenance, responsibilities
Note: Used when there is a duty or obligation that has been ignored or overlooked.

To leave undone or unattended to

Example: The garden was neglected and overgrown with weeds.
Usage: informalContext: household chores, personal care
Note: Often used in everyday situations to describe things that have been ignored or not taken care of.

Neglect's synonyms

ignore

To disregard or pay no attention to something or someone.
Example: He tends to ignore his responsibilities at work.
Note: Similar to neglect but may imply a more deliberate act of not giving attention.

overlook

To fail to notice or consider something.
Example: The teacher overlooked the student's mistake in the exam.
Note: Similar to neglect but often implies unintentionally not paying attention.

disregard

To ignore or pay no attention to something intentionally.
Example: She disregarded the warning signs and went ahead with the plan.
Note: Similar to neglect but may suggest a more purposeful act of ignoring.

abandon

To leave something behind or cease to support or look after it.
Example: The project was abandoned halfway due to lack of funding.
Note: While neglect can imply a lack of attention or care, abandon specifically refers to leaving something completely.

Neglect expressions, common phrases

Turn a blind eye

To ignore or pretend not to see something, especially a wrongdoing or neglectful behavior.
Example: The manager turned a blind eye to the employee's repeated neglect of their duties.
Note: This phrase implies a deliberate choice to ignore rather than simply neglecting.

Let something slide

To ignore or overlook something, especially a mistake or neglect, without taking action.
Example: I usually let minor issues slide, but I can't overlook the constant neglect of responsibilities.
Note: This phrase suggests a more passive approach compared to actively neglecting something.

Drop the ball

To fail to do something properly, causing neglect or failure in a task or responsibility.
Example: The team dropped the ball on fulfilling their duties, resulting in significant neglect of the project.
Note: This phrase emphasizes a specific failure or mistake leading to neglect.

Slip through the cracks

To be forgotten or neglected, especially in a situation where attention or action is needed.
Example: Some important tasks slipped through the cracks due to the team's neglectful behavior.
Note: This phrase implies neglect due to oversight or lack of attention rather than intentional neglect.

Let the grass grow under one's feet

To delay taking action or making progress, leading to neglect of responsibilities or opportunities.
Example: Don't let the grass grow under your feet when it comes to addressing neglect in your work.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the consequences of inaction resulting in neglect.

Out of sight, out of mind

If something is not visible or present, it is easy to forget or neglect it.
Example: The neglected issue was out of sight, out of mind until it escalated into a serious problem.
Note: This phrase highlights the tendency to neglect things that are not in direct view.

Fall by the wayside

To be neglected or abandoned, especially in favor of other priorities or due to lack of attention.
Example: Due to neglect, the project began to fall by the wayside, losing momentum and progress.
Note: This phrase emphasizes being left behind or neglected as a result of other things taking precedence.

Neglect everyday (slang) expressions

Neglect like a champ

To neglect something with great skill or expertise, often sarcastically highlighting a lack of effort or care.
Example: I neglected my chores all weekend, neglecting like a champ.
Note: Adds a playful or humorous tone to the act of neglecting, emphasizing the exaggerated or deliberate nature of the neglect.

Ghost someone or something

To ignore or neglect someone or something completely, often abruptly cutting off communication or contact.
Example: He ghosted his responsibilities, totally neglecting his duties.
Note: Implies a sudden and deliberate withdrawal or disappearance, similar to how a ghost is unseen or unheard.

Shrug off

To dismiss or ignore something, especially responsibilities or duties, in a casual or indifferent manner.
Example: She shrugged off her commitments, choosing to neglect them.
Note: Conveys a more nonchalant and carefree attitude towards neglecting, as if the action is not of great importance or consequence.

Brush aside

To ignore or disregard something, especially important matters or obligations, with little concern or attention.
Example: He brushed aside his tasks, showing clear neglect for his work.
Note: Suggests a deliberate act of pushing away or minimizing the significance of the neglected item, akin to physically brushing something out of the way.

Skimp on

To be frugal or inadequate in providing the necessary attention, time, or effort towards something, resulting in neglect or incomplete execution.
Example: She always skimps on her responsibilities, leading to neglect in her work.
Note: Emphasizes the idea of cutting corners or being stingy in fulfilling obligations, often leading to subpar or insufficient outcomes.

Duck out on

To avoid or evade fulfilling obligations or duties, showing a pattern of neglect or unreliability.
Example: He keeps ducking out on his commitments, constantly neglecting his responsibilities.
Note: Evokes the image of physically ducking or dodging away from responsibilities, highlighting a recurring or habitual behavior of neglecting.

Blow off

To disregard or ignore something intentionally, especially when it comes to duties or obligations, showing a lack of concern or respect.
Example: She blew off her tasks again, neglecting her priorities once more.
Note: Conveys a sense of nonchalance or indifference towards the neglected tasks, as if casually dismissing them without much thought or consideration.

Neglect - Examples

I neglected to water the plants and now they are all dead.
The teacher neglected to grade the homework assignments.
He felt neglected by his friends who never invited him to hang out.

Neglect grammar

Neglect - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: neglect
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): neglect
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): neglect
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): neglected
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): neglecting
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): neglects
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): neglect
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): neglect
Syllables, Separation and Stress
neglect Contains 2 syllables: ne • glect
Phonetic transcription: ni-ˈglekt
ne glect , ni ˈglekt (The red syllable is stressed)

Neglect - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
neglect: ~ 3500 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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