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

Adjective

• idle
• sleepy
• indolent
• shiftless
• slothful

Verb

• bum
• laze
• idle
• chill
• lounge
• relax
• rest
• dawdle
• goof (off)
• stroll
• kill time
• loll
• dillydally
• loaf
• hang (around or out)
• 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

Nearby, Splash Resort draws families and retirees alike with spacious, beachfront units and kid-friendly perks like an indoor water park, a lazy river, and a dive-in movie theater. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025

In water, adults enjoy Aurora’s partnership with SCUBA SHACK, Anguilla’s only PADI 5-Star Dive Resort, while kids find their heaven at the massive waterpark, complete with slides and a lazy river. —Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The pool area features a swim-up bar, lazy river and water slide. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025

This is the laziest of writing, and whoever thought of this subplot should be embarrassed. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025

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