layabout

noun

lay·​about ˈlā-ə-ˌbau̇t 

: a lazy shiftless person : idler

Synonyms of layabout

• slug
• drone
• bum
• deadbeat
• loafer
• idler
• snail
• sluggard
• lazybones
• slouch
• do-nothing

Examples of layabout in a Sentence

she regretted ever asking that layabout to be her roommate, as he created the mess of two people and refused to help with anything

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet suddenly Liam the layabout, Liam the bozo, Liam the irresponsible clown is in his element. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Marlon's Shorty Meeks is in his 25th year of high school, but has made millions as a layabout live-streamer. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

When layabout postman Jesper gets assigned to the frozen town of Smeerensburg with an ultimatum to process 6,000 letters, a reclusive toymaker might be his only hope. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026

And typically, Wegmann added, those units are occupied by productive, working adults, not layabouts or career criminals leeching off the system, as the old narrative goes. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for layabout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout