“Careless” vs. “Self-Centered”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “careless” and “self-centered”

  • Carelessness is about lack of attention or concern, while self-centeredness is about a lack of consideration for others.
  • Someone who is careless may not necessarily be selfish, while someone who is self-centered may not necessarily be careless.
  • Carelessness can lead to accidents or mistakes, while self-centeredness can lead to social and emotional problems.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader

What is the definition of “careless” and “self-centered”?

Careless
  • Careless means not taking enough care or attention when doing something.
  • Someone who is careless often makes mistakes and does not pay attention to details or consequences.
  • Carelessness can lead to accidents, harm or damage to oneself or others.
Self-centered
  • Self-centered means being focused only on oneself and not considering the needs or feelings of others.
  • Someone who is self-centered often behaves selfishly and has an inflated sense of self-importance.
  • Self-centeredness can lead to alienation from others, lack of empathy and difficulty in forming healthy relationships.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Careless” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Careless
43,800,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She was so careless with her phone that she dropped it in the pool.
  2. The careless driver swerved into the wrong lane and caused a serious accident.
  3. He lost his job because of his careless behavior at work.
Self-centered
14,700,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. He never listens to other people's ideas because he is so self-centered.
  2. Her self-centered behavior is why she has trouble making and keeping friends.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.

Related articles