adjective

feckless

/ˈfɛkləs/ · say it: FEK·ləs

lacking strength of character; ineffective

In From the Opinion Pages

In more detail

1. (adjective) lacking responsibility or care; unreliable and irresponsible

2. (adjective) weak or ineffectual; lacking strength or effectiveness

Examples

1. His feckless attitude toward his job eventually got him fired.
2. The feckless government failed to address the crisis.

How to use feckless

Feckless describes someone or their conduct as irresponsible and lacking care or effectiveness, often carrying moral disapproval. It is more formal and literary than casual synonyms like 'careless,' and it can mean both a failure of responsibility and a failure of competence or strength. The term is particularly common in British English and formal criticism.

Common phrases

feckless youth
feckless behavior
feckless attitude
feckless government
a feckless character

Synonyms

irresponsible · unreliable · careless · worthless · ineffectual

Opposites

responsible · reliable · capable

Word family

fecklessly (adverb) · fecklessness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse feckless with reckless; reckless means dangerously bold or heedless of consequences, while feckless means ineffectual and lacking responsibility or care.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD