lazy

[ ley-zee ]

adjective

, la·zi·er, la·zi·est.

1. tending to avoid work, activity, or exertion:

   She was too lazy to take out the trash, so it just continued to pile up.

   Synonyms: slothful

   Antonyms: industrious

2. causing or characterized by idleness or inactivity:

   It was a hot, lazy afternoon.

   I’m having a lazy day today, just lounging and watching movies.

3. slow-moving; sluggish:

   a lazy stream.

   Synonyms: torpid, stagnant, inert

   Antonyms: quick

4. Computers. of or relating to an operator or quantifier in a search query that will return the smallest match result possible. Compare greedy ( def 5b ).
5. (of a livestock brand) placed on its side instead of upright.

verb (used without object)

, la·zied, la·zy·ing.

1. to pass time in idleness or inactivity; laze:

   They spent the afternoon lazying about on the beach.

lazy

/ ˈleɪzɪ /

adjective

1. not inclined to work or exertion
2. conducive to or causing indolence
3. moving in a languid or sluggish manner

   a lazy river

4. (of a brand letter or mark on livestock) shown as lying on its side

Derived Forms

• ˈlazily, adverb
• ˈlaziness, noun

Other Words From

• la·zi·ly adverb
• la·zi·ness noun
• la·zy·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lazy¹

First recorded in 1540–50; compare Low German lasich “languid, idle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lazy¹

C16: origin uncertain

Synonym Study

See idle.

Example Sentences

To say that the election revealed America as a racist and or sexist place is a lazy “analysis.”

From Salon

She also said she liked the first half of the documentary but felt that the second half was “a bit lazy.”

From Los Angeles Times

When you engage one of the many excellent rescue groups around the country, you will find there are clingy cats or aloof cats, energetic cats or lazy cats, stubborn cats or people pleasers.

From Salon

The premise undergirding the campaign was that lazy, childish men should be the leaders of society, not just despite but because they won't do the work to earn it.

From Salon

Overhead, beyond a tangle of power lines, a long-winged bird made lazy circles in the sky.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apathetic
• careless
• dull
• inattentive
• indifferent
• lackadaisical
• lethargic
• passive
• sleepy
• tired
• weary