sloth

noun

ˈslȯth 

ˈsläth,

also

ˈslōth 

plural sloths ˈslȯths 

ˈslȯṯẖz,

ˈsläths,

ˈsläṯẖz,

 also  ˈslōths,

ˈslōṯẖz

1

a

: disinclination to action or labor : indolence

b

: spiritual apathy and inactivity

the deadly sin of sloth

2

: any of various slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals (genera Bradypus and Choloepus) that inhabit tropical forests of South and Central America, hang from the branches back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits compare three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth

Illustration of sloth

• sloth 2

Synonyms

• idleness
• indolence
• inertia
• laziness
• shiftlessness

Examples of sloth in a Sentence

the sins of gluttony and sloth

a youth inclined more toward sloth than athletics

Recent Examples on the Web

The model showed the waves rippling across the underbellies of the continents at a rate of 15 to 20 kilometers per million years, an imperceptible fraction of a sloth’s pace. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 7 Aug. 2024

What makes this one different is the appearance of actual, live animals that visitors can see up close, including snakes, reptiles and one extremely slow-moving sloth. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2024

There's a folder on his computer just for photos of sad sloths. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

The forest itself also has an array of wildlife including squirrel monkeys, iguanas, sloths and more. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English slouthe, from slow slow

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sloth

• ground sloth
• sloth bear
• three-toed sloth
• two-toed sloth

Kids Definition

sloth

noun

ˈslȯth  ˈslōth 

plural sloths

ˈslȯths,

ˈslȯṯẖz

1

: the quality or state of being lazy

2

: any of several slow-moving mammals of the tropical forests of Central and South America that are related to the armadillos, live in trees, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits