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

Inspired by the alien invasion genre and slacker hang out movies, the film is about a group of friends standing up against an alien invasion that threatens to swallow the whole world. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

Her well-meaning slacker persona is perfect for this cavalcade of sometimes surreal adventures, which include classic sitcom tropes like get-rich-quick schemes and mistaken identities. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026

Each, in their way, is ambitious — no room for slackers here! — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

For decades, Citi had tried and failed to shed its reputation as Wall Street’s slacker bank that had long trailed rivals in profitability. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, 27 May 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