Words / C1

mal-PRAKT-is/ˌmælˈpræktɪs/

Malpractice is careless or dishonest practice by someone in a professional role: medical malpractice, professional malpractice. A mistake is everyday and may be small; misconduct is wider; negligence is the legal cousin. Do not call a disputed grade malpractice without a duty and a breach.

Meaning

Careless or dishonest practice by a professional in their work.

Examples

• “Malpractice is a named breach of duty, not a branding disagreement.”
• “A slip is everyday. Negligence is the legal frame. Misconduct can be personal. Malpractice sits in a profession with standards (clinic, law, audit). A rude email is not malpractice.”

Good to know

Professional negligence / abuse of a role. Everyday: a serious mistake at work. Legal cousin: negligence. A branding row is not malpractice.

Near in meaning

error

New