slacker

noun

slack·​er ˈsla-kər 

1

: a person who shirks work or obligation

especially : one who evades military service in time of war

2

: a person and especially a young person who is perceived to be disaffected, apathetic, cynical, or lacking ambition

slacker adjective

Synonyms of slacker

• shirker
• goldbrick
• lingerer

Examples of slacker in a Sentence

The people I work with are a bunch of slackers.

there will be no slackers tolerated in this group—anyone who doesn't do their share will get booted out

Recent Examples on the Web

It should be noted that Paul Cummins is no slacker himself. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026

Redmayne brings a sweetly doltish everyman energy to this increasingly off-kilter affair, with much of the dialogue between him and his co-stars (including Stratton-Twine as the missing woman’s slacker brother) improvised in disarmingly shaggy fashion. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

The slacker may have accumulated hundreds of college credit hours. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

If the slacker continues to underproduce, look for a replacement. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slacker

• acker
• backer
• blacker
• cracker
• hacker
• lacquer
• packer
• stacker
• thacker
• tracker
• attacker
• backpacker

Kids Definition

slacker

noun

slack·​er ˈslak-ər 

: one who avoids work or a duty