languid

lan·guid

adjective \ˈlaŋ-gwəd\

Definition of LANGUID

1

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

2

: sluggish in character or disposition : listless

3

: lacking force or quickness of movement : slow

— lan·guid·ly adverb

— lan·guid·ness noun

Examples of LANGUID

1. They proceeded at a languid pace.
2. It was a hot, languid summer day.

Origin of LANGUID

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

First Known Use: 1597

Related to LANGUID

Synonyms

enervated, lackadaisical, listless, languishing, languorous, limp, spiritless

Antonyms

ambitious, animated, energetic, enterprising, motivated

Related Words

indolent, lazy, slothful; dull, lethargic, logy (also loggy), sleepy, sluggish, torpid; exhausted, knackered [British], tired, weary; feeble, frail, weak; apathetic, impassive, indifferent, phlegmatic, stolid; careless, heedless, thoughtless, unwary; inactive, inert

Near Antonyms

active, dynamic, industrious, kinetic; avid, eager, enthusiastic, keen, lively, pumped, vivacious; cheerful, chipper, perky, up; agog, alert, awake, dapper, open-eyed, sleepless, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake

Synonym Discussion of 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 halfhearted 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>.