gross negligence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Business
Quick answer
What does “gross negligence” mean?
Extreme carelessness or failure to exercise even slight care, showing reckless disregard for consequences.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Extreme carelessness or failure to exercise even slight care, showing reckless disregard for consequences.
In legal contexts, a degree of negligence so severe it demonstrates a conscious indifference to the safety or rights of others, often resulting in liability for punitive damages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and usage are identical in both legal systems, though specific legal tests and precedents may vary by jurisdiction.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties, implying severe failure of duty or responsibility.
Frequency
More frequent in legal and business contexts than in everyday speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “gross negligence” in a Sentence
The court found [person/entity] guilty of gross negligence.Their actions constituted gross negligence.There was gross negligence in [process/action].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gross negligence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company was found to have grossly neglected its health and safety duties.
- The surgeon grossly neglected standard procedure.
American English
- The corporation grossly neglected its fiduciary responsibilities.
- The manufacturer grossly neglected quality control.
adverb
British English
- The system was grossly negligently managed.
- They acted grossly negligently in disposing of the waste.
American English
- The funds were grossly negligently handled.
- The report was grossly negligently prepared.
adjective
British English
- The judge described the oversight as a grossly negligent act.
- Their failure to maintain the equipment was grossly negligent.
American English
- The jury found the driver's behavior grossly negligent.
- It was a grossly negligent omission on the part of management.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts, insurance claims, and liability discussions to denote a severe breach of duty that may void protections.
Academic
Discussed in law, ethics, and business studies papers analysing standards of care and liability.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used when discussing serious failures, e.g., medical errors or corporate scandals.
Technical
A precise legal term of art with specific definitions that vary by jurisdiction but generally require proof of extreme departure from the standard of care.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gross negligence”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gross negligence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gross negligence”
- Using 'grossly negligence' (incorrect adverbial form) instead of 'gross negligence' (noun phrase).
- Confusing with 'ordinary negligence' or 'simple negligence', which are less severe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gross negligence involves extreme carelessness or recklessness, but not a specific intent to cause harm. Intentional harm requires a deliberate purpose.
Yes, in some legal contexts (e.g., manslaughter, certain regulatory violations), gross negligence can rise to the level of criminal liability, not just civil liability.
Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care. Gross negligence is a much more severe failure, demonstrating a conscious or reckless indifference to that duty.
No, it is primarily a legal, business, and formal term. In everyday speech, people might use phrases like 'extreme carelessness' or 'reckless disregard' instead.
Extreme carelessness or failure to exercise even slight care, showing reckless disregard for consequences.
Gross negligence is usually formal, legal, business in register.
Gross negligence: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrəʊs ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡroʊs ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cross the line into gross negligence”
- “A textbook case of gross negligence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GROSS' means large/obvious + 'NEGLIGENCE' means carelessness. So gross negligence is obviously large carelessness.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGLIGENCE IS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY (gross = large amount).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'gross negligence'?