SKIP TO CONTENT

lazy

/ˈleɪzi/

/ˈleɪzi/

Other forms: laziest; lazier

While lazy actually means being averse to work or avoiding it, it can also be used to describe something slow-moving or unenergetic, like when you stroll down the garden path with a lazy gait, not in a hurry to get anywhere.

The adjective lazy is thought to come from the Low German lasich, meaning "idle or languid." You were offended at being called lazy, but you just didn't have the energy to defend yourself. After all, who doesn't enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon? Former President of Poland Lech Walesa once considered the benefits of being lazy when he said, “It's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things."

Definitions of lazy
  1. adjective
    disinclined to work or exertion
    “too lazy to wash the dishes”
    synonyms: faineant, indolent, otiose, slothful, work-shy
    idle
    not in action or at work
  2. adjective
    moving slowly and gently
    “up a lazy river”
    lazy white clouds”
    “at a lazy pace”
    Synonyms:
    slow
    not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
Pronunciation
US

/ˈleɪzi/

UK

/ˈleɪzi/

Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

A paragraph of text

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘lazy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up lazy for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer