Slacker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈsla-kər/ slack·er

Meaning & Definition of Slacker

Slacker (noun)

  1. a person who shirks work or obligation; especially, one who evades military service in time of war
  2. a person and especially a young person who is perceived to be disaffected, apathetic, cynical, or lacking ambition

Slacker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who deliberately avoids work or duty

    "there will be no slackers tolerated in this group—anyone who doesn't do their share will get booted out"

    similar: goldbrick, shirker
    related: malingerer, dropout, quitter, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, slugabed, sluggard, dallier, lingerer, loiterer, lounger, saunterer, dawdler, laggard, putterer, slowpoke
    near: live wire, pistol, powerhouse, doer, go-getter, hummer, hustler, self-starter

  2. an idle worthless person

    "views the under-30 generation as a bunch of slackers"

    similar: bum, derelict, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, vagrant
    related: hobo, sundowner (Australian), tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, panhandler, dodger, goldbrick, shirker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard, down-and-out, indigent, pauper
    near: success, winner

Related Entry: Slack (adjective)

Slack is a different word from Slacker. The synonyms below are for slack, not for slacker.

  1. failing to give proper care and attention

    "a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction"

    similar: careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss
    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

  2. not bound by rigid standards

    "slack supervision on the project"

    similar: easygoing, flexible, lax, loose, relaxed, unrestrained, unrestricted
    related: careless, derelict, heedless, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unfussy
    opposite: hard, harsh, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict
    near: constrained, restrained, restricted, tight, careful, conscientious, exact, fussy, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, implacable, inflexible

  3. not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched

    "left the ropes slack"

    similar: insecure, lax, loose, loosened, relaxed, slackened, unsecured
    related: detached, free, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, untied, baggy, blousy, saggy
    opposite: taut, tense, tight
    near: constrained, restrained, attached, bound, fastened, tied, fast, firm, jammed, snug, stuck, wedged

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Slacker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Slacker:

goldbrick, shirker, bum, derelict, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, vagrant

Related Words for Slacker

malingerer, dropout, quitter, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, slugabed, sluggard, dallier, lingerer, loiterer, lounger, saunterer, dawdler, laggard, putterer, slowpoke, hobo, sundowner, tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, beggar, panhandler, dodger

Near Antonyms of Slacker

live wire, pistol, powerhouse, doer, go-getter, hummer, hustler, self-starter, success, winner

Word Forms of Slacker

Derived words: slacker (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Slacker

First known use: 1898

Frequently Asked Questions about Slacker

What does "Slacker" mean?

"Slacker" means a person who shirks work or obligation; especially, one who evades military service in time of war. As a noun, it is defined as: a person who shirks work or obligation; especially, one who evades military service in time of war. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Slacker"?

Other words for "Slacker" include goldbrick, shirker, bum, derelict, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well and no-account. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Slacker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Slacker"?

There are 48 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Slacker". Common alternatives include goldbrick, shirker, bum, derelict, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well, no-account, no-good and no-goodnik.

How do you use "Slacker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Slacker" in a sentence: "there will be no slackers tolerated in this group—anyone who doesn't do their share will get booted out"; "views the under-30 generation as a bunch of slackers".

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

"Slacker" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Slacker"?

"Slacker" is pronounced /ˈsla-kər/ and divided into syllables as slack·er.

What is the origin of the word "Slacker"?

First known use: 1898.

What is another word for "Slacker" meaning "one who deliberately avoids work or duty"?

When "Slacker" (noun) means one who deliberately avoids work or duty, synonyms include goldbrick and shirker.