Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
Neglect
To pay little or no attention to; to fail to care for or attend to.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine watering a garden, but you keep walking past one corner where a plant is wilting. You never water it or pull weeds, and over weeks the entire corner falls into disrepair while the rest of the garden thrives.
🔊
Sounds Like
nih-GLEKT
👀
Looks Like
neg + lect (negative + select) — visually hints at not choosing
📝
Remember This
Neglect often leads to deterioration; related noun is negligence. Common collocations include neglect a duty, neglect a person, neglect to do something.
📚
Other Forms
neglectsverb
neglectingverb
neglectedadjective
neglectnoun
🔗
Connect With
ignore, disregard, overlook; abandonment; carelessness; failure to tend to duties
📌
Note
Neglect implies inattention or failure to care for something that deserves attention. Do not confuse with 'ignore'—ignore means to purposely pay no attention, which can be deliberate; neglect can be passive or due to oversight. The verb can take a direct object (neglect the garden) or be followed by 'to' + verb (neglect to do something).
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- The landlord neglected to fix the faulty wiring, and the building became unsafe.
- She neglected her duties and it reflected poorly on her performance.
Synonyms
ignoredisregardoverlookabandonomit
Antonyms
attend tocare fortend toaddress
Etymology
From Latin neglegere 'to neglect, disregard', from ne- 'not' + legere 'to gather, choose'.
Mnemonic
Not Engaged, Giving Little Effort, Causing Trouble
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Disregard
verbTo ignore or pay no attention to something; to treat as unworthy of notice.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.