lazy

1 of 2

adjective

la·​zy ˈlā-zē How to pronounce lazy (audio)
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 adverb
laziness noun
lazyish adjective

lazy

2 of 2

verb

lazied; lazying

intransitive verb

: to move or lie lazily : laze
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
According to Smithsonian Magazine, there's even a giant Yule Cat that will eat naughty, lazy children who don't receive new clothes for Christmas (a common reward for the well-behaved for doing their chores). Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023 The word vaga translates as lazy, among other meanings. Katie Button, Bon Appétit, 12 Sep. 2023 Fools have forgotten hip-hop’s essence and are lazy. Spin Staff, Spin, 11 Sep. 2023 The top and shorts both have a loose fit ideal for those lazy Sundays spent on the couch, and they can be worn separately with other PJs, too. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023 These last weeks of summer, when the out-of-office replies pile up and even Wall Street takes a bit of a break from making money, might be the last time for people to be lazy, to loaf, to snooze — especially with return-to-office policies kicking in for many companies across the country. Steven Kurutz, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023 Beyond being bloodthirsty and, contrary to its lazy reputation, able to move speedily, Alpha’s skills are endless. William Earl, Variety, 30 Aug. 2023 This is another extremely dubious assertion beloved of lazy political commentators. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023 No more special teams blunders and dumb, lazy penalties. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lazy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lazy was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near lazy

Cite this Entry

“Lazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lazy. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lazy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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