neglect

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 [VN] to fail to take care of sb/sth: She denies neglecting her baby. * The buildings had been neglected for years. * Don't neglect your health. 2 [VN] to not give enough attention to sth: Dance has been neglected by television. * She has neglected her studies. 3 [Vtoinf] (formal) to fail or forget to do sth that you ought to do: You neglected to mention the name of your previous employer. seealsoNEGLIGENCE noun [U] ~ (of sth/sb) the fact of not giving enough care or attention to sth/sb; the state of not receiving enough care or attention: The law imposed penalties for the neglect of children. * The buildings are crumbling from years of neglect. * The place smelled of decay and neglect.