languid

adjective

lan·​guid ˈlaŋ-gwəd 

1

: drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion : weak

arms too languid with happiness to embrace him

—John Galsworthy

2

: sluggish in character or disposition : listless

proceeded at a languid pace

3

: lacking force or quickness of movement : slow

languidly adverb

languidness noun

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What Is the Difference Between languid and languorous?

Lack, lack, lack. Languid is all about lack. Depending on its context, the word can suggest a lack of strength, lack of energy, or lack of activity. The lack-of-strength sense of languid describes the kind of sluggishness that often results from fatigue or weakness, as in “the illness left her feeling languid.” The lack-of-energy sense is synonymous with listless, and often describes someone’s character or disposition as a result of dissatisfaction or sadness. Lastly, there’s the lack-of-activity sense of languid, as in “investors are worried about the languid stock market.” So languid is a total bummer, right? Not so (ahem) fast! Sometimes it’s a good thing to dillydally, and languid has also long been used to describe stretches of time—think afternoons, days, summers, etc.—that are relatively and perhaps pleasantly chill.

Synonyms

• enervated
• lackadaisical
• languishing
• languorous
• limp
• listless
• spiritless

Choose the Right Synonym for languid

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm.

languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients

listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Examples of languid in a Sentence

They proceeded at a languid pace.

It was a hot, languid summer day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Martin, ever elegant but rarely a wildly expressive actor, could perhaps do with showing a bit more emotional urgency here to sharpen the interplay with Tom, especially in this naturally languid seaside backdrop. —Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025

There were times in the first half when his languid skill on the ball seemed to reassure team-mates clearly short on confidence. —Elias Burke, The Athletic, 11 Feb. 2025

But once the action flashes back to a week earlier, the new season slows to an uncharacteristically languid pace. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025

During moments of downtime or introspection, the film becomes languid in form, taking on a passive visual quality that even the most judicious editing can’t overcome. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French languide, from Latin languidus, from languēre to languish — more at slack

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

languid

adjective

lan·​guid ˈlaŋ-gwəd 

1

: weak from or as if from exhaustion

2

: lacking spirit : listless

3

: lacking force or quickness of movement : slow

languidly adverb