languid

adjective

lan·​guid ˈlaŋ-gwəd How to pronounce languid (audio)
1
: drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion : weak
arms too languid with happiness to embrace himJohn 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.

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 Supported by no more than an electric guitarist who luxuriated in the languid effects of his pedal boards, Mariangela chose to deliver her songs with an open heart that was too earnest to be corny. Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: At last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 As love blooms, so do their souls, in the patient, languid manner of tea leaves steeping in water. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 If the economy continues at its current, often languid pace, experts don’t see a surge in demand. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Today, these same properties set the scene for contemporary adventures, from city breaks to languid vacations to momentous occasions. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Russia’s autocratic president spent the first hour dragging his interlocutor along a languid tour of Russia’s history, beginning at the first East Slavic state in 862 and continuing into the modern era, with many detours along the way. Noah Rothman, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 Jennifer Garner’s beauty routine can’t be described as languid. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2023 Thus is the film’s strange, languid erotic holding pattern set. Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'languid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of languid was in 1595

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Cite this Entry

“Languid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/languid. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

languid

adjective
lan·​guid ˈlaŋ-gwəd How to pronounce languid (audio)
1
: weak from or as if from exhaustion
2
: lacking spirit : listless
3
: lacking force or quickness of movement : slow
languidly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on languid

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