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Added 8 October 2026

lazy

/ˈleɪ̯zi(ː)/ adjective

In Latin: ignāvus, piger, sēgnis Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lazy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Unwilling to do work or make an effort; disinclined to exertion.
Get out of bed, you lazy lout!
Causing or characterised by idleness; relaxed or leisurely.
I love staying inside and reading on a lazy Sunday.
Showing a lack of effort or care.
lazy writing

verb

To laze, act in a lazy manner.

noun

A lazy person.
Sloth (animal).

Origin

Attested since 1540, origin uncertain. Probably from Low German and Middle Low German lasich (“slack, feeble, lazy”), from las, from Old Saxon lask, from Proto-Germanic *lasiwaz, *laskaz (“feeble, weak”), from Proto-Indo-European *las- (“weak”). Akin to Dutch leuzig (“lazy”), German lässig (“casual, nonchalant, laid-back, easy-going”), Old Norse lasinn (“limpy, tired, weak”), Old English lesu, lysu (“false, evil, base”). More at lush. An alternative etymology traces lazy to Early Modern English laysy, a derivative of lay (plural lays + -y) in the same way that tipsy is derived from tip. See lay.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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