Heedless
/ˈhiːd.ləs/noun
Lacking attention, caution, or consideration.
Did you know?The base word heed comes from Old English hēdan, meaning “to pay attention” or “take care,” so heedless is an old-fashioned linguistic warning label for spiritual and practical negligence alike.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hēdōną
“to pay attention, take care”
Old English
OE
hēdan
“to heed, guard, observe”
Old English
OE
lēas
“free from, lacking”
Middle English
ME
hedeles
“without heed; careless”
Modern English
English
heedless
“lacking attention or caution”