lethargy

[ leth-er-jee ]
See synonyms for lethargy on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural leth·ar·gies.
  1. the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.

  2. Pathology. an abnormal state or disorder characterized by overpowering drowsiness or sleep.

Origin of lethargy

1
First recorded in 1325–75; from Late Latin lēthargia, from Greek lēthargía, equivalent to lḗtharg(os) “drowsy” + -ia -y3 (see Lethe, -algia); replacing Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargīa, from Late Greek, Greek, as above

Other words from lethargy

  • hy·per·leth·ar·gy, noun

Words Nearby lethargy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lethargy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lethargy

lethargy

/ (ˈlɛθədʒɪ) /


nounplural -gies
  1. sluggishness, slowness, or dullness

  2. an abnormal lack of energy, esp as the result of a disease

Origin of lethargy

1
C14: from Late Latin lēthargīa, from Greek lēthargos drowsy, from lēthē forgetfulness

Derived forms of lethargy

  • lethargic (lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk) or lethargical, adjective
  • lethargically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012