Question

Choose the word/phrase which is opposite in meaning to the italicised word/phrase in the sentence.
He is very meticulous in keeping accounts.
a) clumsy
b) irregular
c) careless
d) irresponsible

Answer 1

Hint: The word meticulous means taking care of minute details, being careful. (When we describe someone to be meticulous, we mean they do things very carefully.)
Example: He is very meticulous when it comes to calculations.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss the given options to conclude the answer:
a) clumsy: The word clumsy means without skill or grace, awkward in movement or action.
Example: He is very clumsy and always breaks things.
b) irregular: The word irregular means without shape or symmetry or formal arrangement, not following customs or rules.
Example: The seating arrangement was very irregular in the function.
Example: The students who are irregular to classes, will be debarred from the examinations.
c) careless: The word careless means not accurate, or not paying enough attention to what one does.
Example: He is a careless watchman.
d) irresponsible: The word irresponsible means characterised by lack of responsibility.
Example: He is an irresponsible driver.

Hence, the correct answer is option c.

Additional Information: The word ‘meticulous’ is derived from the latin word meticulasus meaning ‘full of fear’.

Note:
The word careless means doing things in an inaccurate manner, or lack of precision. Therefore, it is closest to the opposite in meaning to the given word. Also, the word ‘meticulous’ which suggests doing things with attention does not necessarily mean doing things perfectly. A person might pay attention to doing something, but can still go wrong.