inattentive

Mind elsewhere entirely

Inattentive means not paying attention—distracted, unfocused, or failing to notice what's happening.

An inattentive student misses the lesson; an inattentive driver causes accidents.

The word can also suggest neglect: inattentive parents who don't meet their children's needs.

She was inattentive to the warning signs.

oblivious

unaware

Lacking knowledge of something

unobservant · unseeing · blind · deaf · insensible · unconscious · unheeding · unwitting · clueless · unperceiving

distracted

daydreaming

Idle mental wandering

sidetracked · drifting · zoned-out · spacey · unfocused · diverted · wandering · dreamy · wool-gathering

disinterested

bored

Lacking interest or engagement

unconcerned · blasé · nonchalant · insouciant · lukewarm · unenthusiastic · jaded

careless

negligent

Failing in due care

slack · derelict · irresponsible · slipshod · sloppy · perfunctory · cursory · hasty · reckless · thoughtless

disengaged

detached

Apart or uninvolved

distant · remote · uninvolved · tuned-out · apathetic · indifferent · unresponsive · passive · listless

fidgety

restless

Unable to be still

twitchy · impatient · distrait · yawning · doodling · tapping · sighing

Categories
Opposites
attention and focus

inattentiveattentive

Paying close notice

vigilant · focused · engrossed · absorbed · concentrated

care and consideration

inattentiveattentive

Paying close notice

solicitous · considerate · thoughtful · caring · responsive

Family

inattention, inattentiveness, inattentively

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G