Main Entry:

lan·guid

Pronunciation:

\ˈlaŋ-gwəd\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

1597

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

synonyms 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>.