remiss

UK: /rɪˈmɪs/ US: /rɪˈmɪs/ ,(ri mis′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•miss /rɪˈmɪs/   adj. [be + ~]

1. careless;
   negligent:
   I would be remiss in my duties if I did not welcome our guest.

See -mis-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•miss  (ri mis′), adj. 

1. negligent, careless, or slow in performing one's duty, business, etc.:
   He's terribly remiss in his work.
2. characterized by negligence or carelessness.
3. lacking force or energy;
   languid;
   sluggish.

• Latin remissus (past participle of remittere to send back, slacken, relax); see remit
• late Middle English 1375–1425

re•miss′ly, adv. 
re•miss′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. derelict, thoughtless, lax, slack, neglectful.
• 3. dilatory, slothful, slow.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

remiss / rɪˈmɪs/ adjective (postpositive)

1. lacking in care or attention to duty; negligent
2. lacking in energy; dilatory

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin remissus from remittere to release, from re- + mittere to send

reˈmissly adverb

reˈmissness noun