Added 10 October 2026
malinger
/məˈlɪŋɡə/ verb
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about malinger at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
To feign illness, injury, or incapacitation in order to avoid work, obligation, or perilous risk.
It is not uncommon on exam days for several students to malinger rather than prepare themselves.
- To self-inflict real injury or infection (to inflict self-harm) in order to avoid work, obligation, or perilous risk.
Origin
From French malingrer, from adjective malingre (“delicate, fragile”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)