lazy

1 of 2

adjective

la·​zy ˈlā-zē 

lazier; laziest

1

a

: disinclined to activity or exertion : not energetic or vigorous

The lazy child tried to avoid household chores.

b

: encouraging inactivity or indolence

a lazy summer day

2

: moving slowly : sluggish

a lazy river

3

: droopy, lax

a rabbit with lazy ears

4

: placed on its side

lazy E livestock brand

5

: not rigorous or strict

lazy scholarship

lazily

ˈlā-zə-lē 

adverb

laziness

ˈlā-zē-nəs 

noun

lazyish

ˈlā-zē-ish 

adjective

lazy

2 of 2

verb

lazied; lazying

intransitive verb

: to move or lie lazily : laze

Synonyms

Adjective

• idle
• indolent
• shiftless
• slothful

Verb

• 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

Choose the Right Synonym for lazy

lazy, indolent, slothful mean not easily aroused to activity.

lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

Examples of lazy in a Sentence

Adjective

a lazy child who avoided household chores

I should have done more work this weekend, but I was feeling lazy.

a hawk flying in lazy circles

Verb

a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Erik Kain Another lazy January Sunday is spread out before us. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

There are series with lazy writing, shallow characters, boring plots and even offensive elements. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025

Pitt made a lazy post entry pass early in the second half of Duke’s eventual 76-47 blowout win Tuesday. —Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

Landmarks such as the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum on the north end and the pavilion and beach-flanked pier to the south give beachgoers a variety of destinations to shape lazy island days. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lazy

• lazy eye
• lazy Susan
• lazy tongs

Kids Definition

lazy

adjective

la·​zy

ˈlā-zē

lazier; laziest

1

: not willing to act or work : indolent

2

: moving slowly : sluggish

a lazy stream

lazily

-zə-lē

adverb

laziness

-zē-nəs

noun