laggard

[ lag-erd ]

noun

1. a person or thing that lags; lingerer; loiterer.

adjective

1. moving, developing, or responding slowly; sluggish; dilatory; backward.

laggard

/ ˈlæɡəd /

noun

1. a person who lags behind
2. a dawdler or straggler

adjective

1. rare.
   sluggish, slow, or dawdling

Derived Forms

• ˈlaggardly, adverb
• ˈlaggardness, noun

Other Words From

• laggard·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laggard¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; lag ¹ + -ard

Example Sentences

It’s hilarious and strange and menacing in just the right way — and a shot in the arm for a somewhat laggard comic-book movie.

From Los Angeles Times

"Construction is a bit of a digital laggard compared with many other industries. It's been slow to adopt digital in the widest sense," says Mr O'Gorman.

From BBC

Give me your losers and laggards, your pokey puppies who limbo right under rock-bottom expectations and then have to go home and lie down.

From New York Times

In a reversal of fortunes, the laggards have become leaders.

From New York Times

They also start to hover — like the auntie with the sponge — hurrying laggards out the door.

From New York Times