Laggard — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈla-gərd/ lag·gard

Meaning & Definition of Laggard

Laggard (adjective)

  1. lagging or tending to lag, slow especially compared to others of the same kind

Laggard (noun)

  1. someone or something that lags or lingers, someone or something that is slow especially compared to others of the same kind

Laggard (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed

    "I hate being stuck behind laggard drivers on the freeway"

    similar: crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, sluggish, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried
    related: deliberate, measured, inactive, inert, lethargic, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling
    opposite: barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind, whisking, zipping
    near: expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed

Laggard (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. someone who moves slowly or more slowly than others

    "tried to spur on the laggards at the back of the line during the hike"

    similar: crawler, dallier, dawdler, dragger, lagger, lingerer, loiterer, plodder, slowpoke, snail, straggler
    related: latecomer, idler, lazybones, loafer, lounger, slouch, slug, sluggard, delayer, procrastinator
    opposite: speedster
    near: go-getter, hustler, scrambler, hurrier, rusher, speeder

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Laggard

The most common words with a similar meaning to Laggard:

crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, sluggish, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried, crawler, dallier, dawdler, dragger, lagger, lingerer, loiterer, plodder, slowpoke, snail, straggler

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Laggard

Words with the opposite meaning of Laggard:

barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind

Related Words for Laggard

deliberate, measured, inactive, inert, lethargic, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling, latecomer, idler, lazybones, loafer, lounger, slouch, slug, sluggard

Near Antonyms of Laggard

expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed, go-getter, hustler, scrambler, hurrier, rusher, speeder

Word Forms of Laggard

Inflections: laggards

Derived words: laggardly (adverb or adjective), laggardness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Laggard

First known use: 1702

Frequently Asked Questions about Laggard

What does "Laggard" mean?

"Laggard" means lagging or tending to lag, slow especially compared to others of the same kind. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: lagging or tending to lag, slow especially compared to others of the same kind. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Laggard"?

Other words for "Laggard" include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging and lagging. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Laggard" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Laggard"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Laggard". Common alternatives include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, lagging, languid and leisurely.

What is the opposite of "Laggard"?

Antonyms of "Laggard" include barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy and fast. Near antonyms include expeditious, prompt, ready and accelerated.

How do you use "Laggard" in a sentence?

Examples of "Laggard" in a sentence: "I hate being stuck behind laggard drivers on the freeway"; "tried to spur on the laggards at the back of the line during the hike".

Is "Laggard" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Laggard" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Laggard"?

"Laggard" is pronounced /ˈla-gərd/ and divided into syllables as lag·gard.

What is the origin of the word "Laggard"?

First known use: 1702.