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
4
: placed on its side
lazy E livestock brand
5
: not rigorous or strict
lazy scholarship
Synonyms
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
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
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
Phrases Containing lazy
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.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on lazy
Nglish: Translation of lazy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lazy for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share