Word of the Day, January 12: 'Remiss'

Word of the day: REMISS

Pronunciation: re·miss UK/rɪˈmɪs/  US/rɪˈmɪs/

Meaning:
'Remiss' means careless, negligent, or failing to do one’s duty properly, especially when responsibility or attention is expected.

Origin and History:

‘Remiss’ comes from the Latin word remissus, meaning “slackened” or “relaxed”

'Remiss' has also derived from the Latin verb 'remittere':

French also borrowed remittere, creating remis, influencing its entry into English.

Evolution in English: Entered Middle English in the 15th century, initially used to describe moral or religious negligence, especially in duties toward God or society.

Over time, its meaning broadened to include any lapse in responsibility, professional or personal.

Cultural significance and modern usage:

Often appears in polite self-criticism, making it sound thoughtful rather than harsh

In public speeches, leaders use remiss to acknowledge omissions while preserving dignity—showing humility without appearing weak.

'Remiss' appears more frequently in Indian, British, and Commonwealth English, especially in official communication and institutional writing.
 "Remiss" now commonly means "lacking in diligence or care", especially in fulfilling obligations, as in "remiss in one's duties".

Also read word of the day

Interesting facts:

• Remiss often appears with “would be”, a soft, respectful way to admit responsibility
• Commonly confused with 'relaxed', but 'remiss' implies fault, not comfort
• Frequently used in apologies, acknowledgements, and editorials
• A lazy person avoids work. A remiss person fails despite having responsibility. This distinction makes the word sharper.
• 'Remiss' is rarely used in casual speech, making it a power word in writing.
• Writers use 'remiss' when the failure is obvious enough to be acknowledged but not extreme enough to accuse.
• Unlike many adjectives, 'remiss' usually refers to inaction, not wrong action.
• Calling something 'remiss' hints that the person was aware of the responsibility, making the lapse more crucial.
• In writing, remiss often appears near the end of arguments, signalling final reflection.

Examples from literature:

• “I would be remiss to do so twice. Pray, what are your names, children? Your full names, please.”- Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
• As a leader of a mass organisation, one must listen to the people, and I agreed that we had been remiss in keeping the entire organisation informed about the course of the negotiations.-Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Synonyms:

• Neglectful
• Neglecting
• Careless
• Lazy
• Negligent

Antonyms:

• Careful
• Conscientious
• Attentive
• Punctilious
• Meticulous
• Circumspect

Read more word of the day here.