Irresponsibility

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The condition of not taking ownership for actions often results in harmful effects
2. The state of failing to accept the consequences of one's behavior
3. A failure to act with proper care or to meet one's duties

Etymology: Irresponsibility is a plain formation: the prefix "ir-" (a form of "in-" meaning "not," used before r) attached to "responsibility," or alternatively the adjective "irresponsible" with the suffix "-ity" added. Either route gives the same result, a noun for the quality of not being answerable for one's conduct or duties. The base word "responsibility" comes from "responsible," which itself traces back to the Latin "respondere," meaning "to answer" or "to pledge in return." A responsible person was, at root, one who could be called on to answer for something. The "ir-" prefix simply reverses that sense, so the noun names the absence of that answerability.

Synonyms: carelessness, recklessness, unreliability, inconsideration, thoughtlessness

Antonyms: responsibility, accountability, dependability, reliability, trustworthiness