listless

list·less

adj \ˈlist-ləs\

Definition of LISTLESS

: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit <a listless melancholy attitude>

— list·less·ly adverb

— list·less·ness noun

Examples of LISTLESS

1. The heat made everyone tired and listless.
2. The party was a listless affair.
3. He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone. —Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
4. She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. —Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964
5. His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. —W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
6. Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. —Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847

Origin of LISTLESS

Middle English listles, from ²list (see ²list)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to LISTLESS

Synonyms: enervated, lackadaisical, languid, 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

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at languid