Feckless
/ˈfɛkləs/
Definitions
Lacking in efficiency, energy, or character; irresponsible.
/ˈfɛkləs/
Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible
The feckless gambler lost his entire inheritance.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who always forgets to do their chores, never plans ahead, and seems to drift through life without purpose. That person is feckless. Think of it like a 'flaky' person without any follow through.
👶 For kids: Someone who is feckless doesn't try very hard and doesn't take care of things.
More Examples
Her feckless approach to her studies resulted in poor grades.
The company was run by a feckless CEO who drove it into the ground.
How It's Used
"He was a feckless young man, always shirking his responsibilities."
"The novel portrayed the feckless protagonist as a victim of circumstance, unable to take control of his own life."
Synonyms
From 'feck' (strength, effectiveness, which is itself of Scottish and Northern English dialectal origin, possibly from Middle English) + '-less'. The term's usage broadened over time to describe individuals lacking in character or responsibility.
The term appeared with increased frequency in the 19th and 20th centuries, often used to criticize individuals considered morally deficient or lacking in purpose.
Memory tip
Think of 'feck' as energy. If someone is 'feck-less,' they have no energy or ability to accomplish things.