IRRESPONSIBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does irresponsible mean? 

• IRRESPONSIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective IRRESPONSIBLE has 1 sense:

1. showing lack of care for consequences

  Familiarity information: IRRESPONSIBLE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IRRESPONSIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing lack of care for consequences

Context example:

hasty and irresponsible action

Similar:

carefree; devil-may-care; freewheeling; happy-go-lucky; harum-scarum; slaphappy (cheerfully irresponsible)

do-nothing (characterized by inability or unwillingness to work toward a goal or assume responsibility)

feckless (not fit to assume responsibility)

idle; loose (lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility)

trigger-happy (irresponsible in the use of firearms)

unaccountable (free from control or responsibility)

unreliable (lacking a sense of responsibility)

Attribute:

responsibility; responsibleness (a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct)

Antonym:

responsible (worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable)

Derivation:

irresponsibility; irresponsibleness (a form of untrustworthiness; the trait of lacking a sense of responsibility and not feeling accountable for your actions)

 Context examples 

As I have said, and I know you agree with me, he is irresponsible.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

We have no foolish ideas about wealth, but comfort is another matter, and our daughter should at least marry a man who can give her that—and not a penniless adventurer, a sailor, a cowboy, a smuggler, and Heaven knows what else, who, in addition to everything, is hare-brained and irresponsible.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)