lazy

[ley-zee]

adjective

lazier, laziest 

1. tending to avoid work, activity, or exertion.

   She was too lazy to take out the trash, so it just continued to pile up.

   Synonyms: slothful
   Antonyms: industrious

2. causing or characterized by idleness or inactivity.

   It was a hot, lazy afternoon.

   I’m having a lazy day today, just lounging and watching movies.

3. slow-moving; sluggish.

   a lazy stream.

   Synonyms: torpid, stagnant, inert
   Antonyms: quick

4. Computers.,  of or relating to an operator or quantifier in a search query that will return the smallest match result possible.

5. (of a livestock brand) placed on its side instead of upright.

verb (used without object)

lazied, lazying 

1. to pass time in idleness or inactivity; laze.

   They spent the afternoon lazying about on the beach.

lazy

/ ˈleɪzɪ /

adjective

1. not inclined to work or exertion

2. conducive to or causing indolence

3. moving in a languid or sluggish manner

   a lazy river

4. (of a brand letter or mark on livestock) shown as lying on its side

Other Word Forms

• lazily adverb
• laziness noun
• lazyish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lazy¹

First recorded in 1540–50; compare Low German lasich “languid, idle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lazy¹

C16: origin uncertain

Synonym Study

See idle.

Example Sentences

"England are playing with 10 men, she's lazy, she's not trying," revealed James.

From BBC

They have become as much a part of Lake Tahoe lore as lazy afternoons by the water or starlit evenings under mountain peaks.

From Los Angeles Times

For those dreaming of lazy sunny days on beaches or in beer gardens, the prospect of hotter summers might sound appealing.

From BBC

"Your AI must be too lazy to come up with these kinds of names".

From BBC

In the same documentary in which he queried Rooney's application, Brady also referred to Birmingham players from that disastrous 2023-24 campaign as "lazy and entitled".

From BBC

Related Words

• apathetic 
• careless 
• dull 
• inattentive 
• indifferent 
• lackadaisical 
• lethargic 
• passive 
• sleepy 
• tired 
• weary