Lazy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˈlā-zē/ la·zy

Meaning & Definition of Lazy

Lazy (adjective)

  1. disinclined to activity or exertion, not energetic or vigorous
  2. encouraging inactivity or indolence
  3. moving slowly, sluggish

Lazy (verb)

  1. to move or lie lazily, laze

Lazy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not easily aroused to action or work

    "the lazy dog just wanted to lie on the couch all day and sleep"

    similar: idle, indolent, shiftless, slothful
    related: apathetic, drowsy, dull, inert, languorous, lazyish, lethargic, listless, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, supine, torpid
    opposite: industrious
    near: ambitious, diligent, enterprising, zealous, active, animated, bouncing, brisk, dynamic, energetic, exuberant, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, pert, snappy, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vivacious, zippy

  2. failing to give proper care and attention

    "that cookbook author can be lazy about giving cooking times and temperatures"

    similar: careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack
    related: heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild, unguarded, unwary, forgetful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested, delinquent, loose
    opposite: attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
    near: meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible, thinking, thoughtful, concerned, interested

Lazy (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to spend time doing nothing

    "a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch"

    similar: bum, chill, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drone, footle, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), hang about (British), idle, kick around, kick back, laze, loaf, loll, lounge, veg out, kill time, twiddle one's thumbs
    related: fiddle (around), fool, mess, monkey, muck, piddle, play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle, doze, estivate, hibernate, lag, linger, loiter, poke, relax, rest, tarry, amble, mosey, saunter, stroll, swan, furlough, goldbrick, malinger, truant
    near: drudge, grind, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg, plod, plow, plug, slave, sweat, toil, travail, work, apply, buckle (down), exert, put out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lazy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lazy:

British: hang about
idle, indolent, shiftless, slothful, careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss, slack, bum, chill, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drone, footle, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), kick around, kick back, laze, loaf, loll, lounge, veg out, kill time, twiddle one's thumbs

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Lazy

Words with the opposite meaning of Lazy:

industrious, attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent

Related Words for Lazy

apathetic, drowsy, dull, inert, languorous, lazyish, lethargic, listless, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, supine, torpid, heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild, unguarded, unwary, forgetful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, disinterested, indifferent

Near Antonyms of Lazy

ambitious, diligent, enterprising, zealous, active, animated, bouncing, brisk, dynamic, energetic, exuberant, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, pert, snappy, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vivacious, zippy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, cautious, chary

Word Forms of Lazy

Inflections: lazier, laziest, lazied, lazying

Derived words: lazily (adverb), laziness (noun), lazyish (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Lazy

perhaps from Middle Low German lasich feeble; akin to Middle High German erleswen to become weak

First known use: 1549

Words & Phrases Containing Lazy

lazy eye, lazy Susan, lazy tongs

Frequently Asked Questions about Lazy

What does "Lazy" mean?

"Lazy" means disinclined to activity or exertion, not energetic or vigorous. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: disinclined to activity or exertion, not energetic or vigorous. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lazy"?

Other words for "Lazy" include idle, indolent, shiftless, slothful, careless, derelict, disregardful and lax. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lazy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lazy"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lazy". Common alternatives include idle, indolent, shiftless, slothful, careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, neglectful and neglecting.

What is the opposite of "Lazy"?

Antonyms of "Lazy" include industrious, attentive, careful, conscientious and nonnegligent. Near antonyms include ambitious, diligent, enterprising and zealous.

How do you use "Lazy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lazy" in a sentence: "the lazy dog just wanted to lie on the couch all day and sleep"; "that cookbook author can be lazy about giving cooking times and temperatures"; "a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch".

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

"Lazy" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Lazy"?

"Lazy" is pronounced /ˈlā-zē/ and divided into syllables as la·zy.

What is the origin of the word "Lazy"?

"Lazy" comes from perhaps from Middle Low German lasich feeble; akin to Middle High German erleswen to become weak. First known use: 1549.