Improvident

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ɪmˈpɹɒvɪdənt/

Definitions

1. Lacking foresight or careful planning, spending or using resources without considering future needs or consequences
2. Not giving thought to future consequences or needs when managing resources and money
3. Failing to plan ahead or exercise caution regarding what will be needed in times to come

Etymology: "Improvident" is built from two parts that each carry a clear, literal sense. The prefix "in-" means "not," and "provident" comes from the Latin "providens," the present participle of "providere," meaning "to foresee," from "pro-" ("before") and "videre" ("to see"). So the word is literally "not foreseeing," which is exactly its modern sense of failing to plan for the future. The English adjective "provident" already existed with the positive sense of prudent or thrifty, looking ahead and saving. Adding "in-" simply reverses it, so "improvident" describes someone who spends carelessly and neglects what is coming. Its meaning is therefore fixed by its parts: the sight that should reach forward has been turned off.

Synonyms: reckless, careless, thoughtless, negligent, foolhardy

Antonyms: prudent, careful, wise, sensible, cautious