sloth

noun

ˈslȯth 

ˈsläth,

also

ˈslōth 

plural sloths ˈslȯths 

ˈslȯṯẖz,

ˈsläths,

ˈsläṯẖz,

 also  ˈslōths,

ˈslōṯẖz

1

a

: disinclination to action or labor : indolence

b

: spiritual apathy and inactivity

the deadly sin of sloth

2

: any of various slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals (genera Bradypus and Choloepus) that inhabit tropical forests of South and Central America, hang from the branches back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits compare three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth

Illustration of sloth

• sloth 2

Synonyms

• idleness
• indolence
• inertia
• laziness
• shiftlessness

Examples of sloth in a Sentence

the sins of gluttony and sloth

a youth inclined more toward sloth than athletics

Recent Examples on the Web

Spot sloth and howler monkeys in the rainforest canopy. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 13 May 2025

For updates on the baby sloth, visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on social media. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025

These included enormous animals such as mammoths, mastodons and giant sloths that could be 10 feet tall and weigh 2,200 pounds. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

For a stereotypical New Yorker, this is akin to watching a sloth climb to the top of a tree. —Will McGough, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English slouthe, from slow slow

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sloth

• ground sloth
• sloth bear
• three-toed sloth
• two-toed sloth

Rhymes for sloth

• both
• doeth
• growth
• loath
• oath
• quoth
• troth
• ingrowth
• outgrowth
• undergrowth

Kids Definition

sloth

noun

ˈslȯth  ˈslōth 

plural sloths

ˈslȯths,

ˈslȯṯẖz

1

: the quality or state of being lazy

2

: any of several slow-moving mammals of the tropical forests of Central and South America that are related to the armadillos, live in trees, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits