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

• inertia

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

Young sloths will move out and live on their own at nine moths and can live 30 to 40 years in captivity. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 28 June 2025

The campaign culminated in a Super Bowl ad starring sloths navigating a slow Monday. —Seth Matlins, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Here are a few of my personal highlights: Hugging sloths in Roatan, Honduras Bucket list item checked off! —Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The state-of-the-art facility features an impressive array of sea life including sharks, otters, sea lions, penguins, sloths and more. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025

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

Rhymes for sloth

• both
• doeth
• growth
• loath
• oath
• quoth
• troth
• ingrowth
• outgrowth
• undergrowth

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