indolent

[ in-dl-uhnt ]

adjective

1. having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful:

   an indolent person.

   Synonyms: torpid, sluggish, inactive, slow

2. Pathology. causing little or no pain; inactive or relatively benign:

   an indolent ulcer that is not painful and is slow to heal.

indolent

/ ˈɪndələnt /

adjective

1. disliking work or effort; lazy; idle
2. pathol causing little pain

   an indolent tumour

3. (esp of a painless ulcer) slow to heal

Derived Forms

• ˈindolence, noun
• ˈindolently, adverb

Other Words From

• indo·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indolent¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin indolent- (stem of indolēns ), equivalent to in- in- ³ + dolent- (stem of dolēns ), present participle of dolēre “to be painful, be in pain”; dole ², -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of indolent¹

C17: from Latin indolēns not feeling pain, from in- ¹+ dolēns, from dolēre to grieve, cause distress

Synonym Study

See idle.

Example Sentences

The L.A. antiquarian Charles Fletcher Lummis called it the Land of Poco Tiempo in his 1893 book of the same name, depicting it as a real-life territory of lotus eaters, of indolent pleasure.

From Los Angeles Times

Sandra Milo is the indolent seductress, Claudia Cardinale is Guido’s ideal voluptuous virgin, Barbara Steele is a mod muse.

From New York Times

During the summer, outdoor chairs overlook the water for the indolent; more active visitors can borrow bicycles to explore the tiny neighborhood on the Toke Point peninsula.

From Seattle Times

Tuesday’s classic dog show finals, with best in show on the line, are open only to good-looking purebreds — never mind if they’re indolent, overbred or a couple of biscuits short of a box — whereas the agility competition rewards speed, intelligence and enthusiasm.

From Seattle Times

The first claim made in the article still relies on similar indolent pejoratives: To characterize the entire town as irrevocably evil, the author accuses a pro-Palestine rally of “celebrating” the events of Oct.

From Slate