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 of sloth

• inertia

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

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has since added a new permitting requirement for importing sloths, which took effect after a 60-day import ban expired in July. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

In this biodiverse national park, home to some of Central America’s only remaining old-growth wet forests, wildlife sightings can include the Baird’s tapir, jaguars, sloths, and macaws. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026

Thirteen surviving sloths were transferred to the Central Florida Zoo earlier this year with malnutrition and other critical conditions, and several have since died there, despite veterinary care. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

From some giant prehistoric sloths that fell into a sinkhole 500,000 years ago to extinct elephants to today’s massive invasive pythons, Florida has always been a biological playground. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

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