lazy

1 of 2

adjective

la·​zy ˈlā-zē 

lazier; laziest

1

a

: disinclined to activity or exertion : not energetic or vigorous

The lazy child tried to avoid household chores.

b

: encouraging inactivity or indolence

a lazy summer day

2

: moving slowly : sluggish

a lazy river

3

: droopy, lax

a rabbit with lazy ears

4

: placed on its side

lazy E livestock brand

5

: not rigorous or strict

lazy scholarship

lazily

ˈlā-zə-lē 

adverb

laziness

ˈlā-zē-nəs 

noun

lazyish

ˈlā-zē-ish 

adjective

lazy

2 of 2

verb

lazied; lazying

intransitive verb

: to move or lie lazily : laze

Synonyms of lazy

Adjective

• idle
• sleepy
• indolent
• shiftless
• slothful

Verb

• bum
• laze
• idle
• chill
• lounge
• relax
• rest
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• stroll
• kill time
• loll
• dillydally
• hang (around or out)
• loaf
• play
• kick back
• veg out
• hack (around)
• mess

Choose the Right Synonym for lazy

lazy, indolent, slothful mean not easily aroused to activity.

lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

Examples of lazy in a Sentence

Adjective

a lazy child who avoided household chores

I should have done more work this weekend, but I was feeling lazy.

a hawk flying in lazy circles

Verb

a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Seagulls traced lazy circles overhead. —Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Kids will love it for the on-site water park with a lazy river, multiple beachfront pools, and dedicated clubs for kids and teens. —Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

The old way to make it was often considered lazy. —William Jones, Ascend Agency, 27 Feb. 2026

And then came a lazy, catastrophic line change from rookie Will Smith that directly set up Calgary’s go-ahead goal. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

perhaps from Middle Low German lasich feeble; akin to Middle High German erleswen to become weak

First Known Use

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lazy

• lazy eye
• lazy Susan
• lazy tongs

Rhymes for lazy

• crazy
• daisy
• hazy
• calabrese

Kids Definition

lazy

adjective

la·​zy

ˈlā-zē

lazier; laziest

1

: not willing to act or work : indolent

2

: moving slowly : sluggish

a lazy stream

lazily

-zə-lē

adverb

laziness

-zē-nəs

noun