tactlesstact‧less /ˈtæktləs/ adjective 
I thought it would be tactless to ask about her divorce. She’s one of the most tactless people I’ve ever met. a tactless remark► see thesaurus at careless, rude, unkind—tactlessly adverb—tactlessness noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- tactless remarks
- a tactless comment
- He made all sorts of tactless remarks about her appearance.
- How could he be so tactless as to make jokes about funerals when her father's just died?
- I wanted to know about her divorce but thought it would be tactless to ask.
- It was a bit tactless of you to start talking about her ex-boyfriend.
- She was often tactless and insensitive.
- Beyond that, it would be tactless to enquire.
- I knew that my question was tactless, almost gross.
- It was a deeply tactless idea.
- Of course, a tactless dealer irritated him even more at this sort of time.
- Under the present circumstances, it seemed somehow tactless.
THESAURUS
not paying enough attention to what you are doing, so that you make mistakes, damage things etc: · I made a few careless mistakes.· It was careless of you to leave your purse lying about.· He started getting careless about taking his medication.
often dropping or breaking things because you move around in a careless way: · I’m so clumsy, I spilt milk all over the floor.· a clumsy child
careless and lazy in the way you do your work or in your behaviour generally: · As a student, he was brilliant but sloppy.· I will not tolerate sloppy work.
especially written doing dangerous or stupid things without thinking about your own or other people’s safety: · The driver of the car was arrested for reckless driving.· His actions showed a reckless disregard for human life.
careless in a way that might affect other people, especially when you should be taking care of them: · It’s irresponsible for parents to let their children smoke.· his irresponsible attitude to keeping animals
carelessly saying something that upsets or embarrasses someone, without intending to do this: · He kept making tactless remarks about her appearance.· a tactless question· I thought it would be tactless to ask about her divorce.
not being careful enough about something and treating it as though it is not important: · He seems to have a very casual attitude towards his work.· She disliked the casual way in which he made decisions affecting other people’s lives.
careless about something that you are responsible for, so that serious mistakes are made – used especially when someone will be officially punished for this: · The doctor was negligent in using the wrong type of needle.· They found him guilty of negligent conduct.
not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomach
not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.
British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!
saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?
speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive language
speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.
formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.
(also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.
not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.
formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?
formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!
formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.
showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humour
unintentionally unkind not thinking about the effects of your actions on other people: · It was inconsiderate of him not to say that he would be late.· a thoughtless disregard for other people’s feelings
someone who is tactless carelessly says or does things that are likely to upset someone, without realizing what they are doing: · How could you be so tactless?· a tactless question
behaving in a way that is likely to upset someone, or not seeming to care about someone’s feelings. Insensitive is rather a formal word: · The article is insensitive to the family and friends of the victim.· He later admitted that some of his remarks were ‘insensitive’.
Longman Language Activatorsaid without thinking carefully enough: careless remarks/talk/words etc said without thinking about what effect they might have, and so often causing trouble or embarrassment: · You say a few careless words to a neighbour and suddenly everyone knows about it.· Witnesses say the argument started after a careless remark about the victim's wife.
carelessly saying something that upsets or embarrasses someone, especially by mentioning something that it would be kinder or more polite not to talk about: · How could he be so tactless as to make jokes about funerals when her father's just died?it is tactless to do something: · I wanted to know about her divorce but thought it would be tactless to ask.
careless about what you say, especially by talking about things that should be kept secret: · I wouldn't trust him with anything personal - he can be very indiscreet.it is indiscreet of somebody to do something: · I did hear them talking about sales figures but it would be indiscreet of me to say any more.
rude/not polite someone who is rude upsets or offends people by not following the rules of good social behaviour and not considering other people's feelings: · What a rude man! He just ignored me when I said "Good morning".· I don't mean to be rude, but could you tell your children to keep quiet?· He's one of the rudest people I've ever met.rude to: · I know you're upset, but there's no need to be rude to your mother.rude about: · Are you being rude about my cooking?it is rude to do something: · It's rude to interrupt people when they are speaking.it is rude of somebody to do something: · I thought it was very rude of her not to answer my letter.
not following the rules of accepted social behaviour, especially when someone does this without realizing it - use this especially about the things that people do or say, rather than about people themselves: · In Senegal it is considered impolite if you do not share your food.· You weren't very polite to her.it is impolite/not polite to do something: · I was tired, but I thought it might not be polite to leave so early.· It is impolite and inconsiderate for people to drop in uninvited.
someone who is tactless upsets or embarrasses someone else, without intending to, by mentioning something that it would be better not to talk about: · I wanted to know about her divorce, but I thought it would be tactless to ask.· She was often tactless and insensitive.· tactless remarks
seeming rude or unkind because you say what you think very directly, so that people are annoyed or offended: · Harris was abrasive and arrogant.· Anson's abrasive personality has landed her in trouble many times in the past.
someone who has bad manners does not behave politely in social situations, for example by not saying "please" and "thank you": · Marilyn apologized for her husband's bad manners.it is bad manners to do something: · It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full.
behaving in a rude and unpleasant way, especially because of never having been taught how to be polite: · Her children are incredibly bad-mannered -- she should be more strict with them.· Ill-mannered movie-goers talked and took cell phone calls during the picture. · As soon as some English people go abroad, they seem to change into bad-mannered, insensitive oafs.
formal not behaving in a polite way - use this especially about people's remarks or behaviour: · It would have seemed discourteous to refuse his offer.discourteous to: · He claimed that the officer had been discourteous to him.
to deliberately behave in a rude and unfriendly way towards someone: · He can be very unpleasant when he's in a bad mood.· It isn't necessary to be that unpleasant, Mike.be unpleasant to: · She was shocked at how unpleasant the children were to their mother.
rude, loud, and unpleasant - use this especially about people's behaviour: · The behaviour of some politicians in debates is simply loutish and intimidating.· They considered my boyfriend to be loutish and a bit stupid.· loutish behaviour
unkind, but not deliberately unkind someone who is thoughtless or inconsiderate only thinks about their own situation, their own enjoyment etc, and does not think about the effects that their actions will have on other people: · A few thoughtless people have spoiled the holiday for everyone else.· I have an inconsiderate neighbour who plays loud music late at night.it is thoughtless/inconsiderate of somebody to do something: · It was thoughtless of him to mention her divorce when she's so upset.· I'm sorry, it was inconsiderate of me to phone so early.
someone who is insensitive does not notice when other people are upset or when something that they do might upset other people: · How could you be so insensitive?insensitive to somebody's feelings/needs etc: · Doctors sometimes seem insensitive to their patients' feelings.
someone who is tactless says or does things that offend other people or hurt their feelings, without intending to and without realizing that they have done it: · He made all sorts of tactless remarks about her appearance.it is tactless (of somebody) to do something: · It was a bit tactless of you to start talking about her ex-boyfriend.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a tactless remark
likely to upset or embarrass someone without intending to OPP tactful: a tactless remark I thought it would be tactless to ask about her divorce. She’s one of the most tactless people I’ve ever met. a tactless remark► see thesaurus at careless, rude, unkind—tactlessly adverb—tactlessness noun [uncountable]