lazy

1 of 2

adjective

la·​zy ˈlā-zē How to pronounce lazy (audio)
lazier; laziest
Synonyms of lazy
1
a
: disinclined to activity or exertion : not energetic or vigorous
The lazy child tried to avoid household chores.
b
: encouraging inactivity or indolence
a lazy summer day
2
: moving slowly : sluggish
a lazy river
3
: droopy, lax
a rabbit with lazy ears
4
: placed on its side
lazy E livestock brand
5
: not rigorous or strict
lazy scholarship
lazily
ˈlā-zə-lē How to pronounce lazy (audio)
adverb
laziness
ˈlā-zē-nəs How to pronounce lazy (audio)
noun
lazyish
ˈlā-zē-ish How to pronounce lazy (audio)
adjective

lazy

2 of 2

verb

lazied; lazying

intransitive verb

: to move or lie lazily : laze

Synonyms of lazy

Relevance

Adjective

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for lazy

lazy, indolent, slothful mean not easily aroused to activity.

lazy suggests a disinclination to work or to take trouble.

take-out foods for lazy cooks

indolent suggests a love of ease and a dislike of movement or activity.

the heat made us indolent

slothful implies a temperamental inability to act promptly or speedily when action or speed is called for.

fired for being slothful about filling orders

Examples of lazy in a Sentence

Adjective a lazy child who avoided household chores I should have done more work this weekend, but I was feeling lazy. a hawk flying in lazy circles Verb a good afternoon to spend lazying on the back porch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Deep seats give it that sink-in-and-relax feel, and the oversized chaise gives you plenty of wiggle room during movie marathons or lazy weekends. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Instead of owning up to the lazy use of AI, the team dug in its heels. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026 People get lazy, reusing passwords or pseudonyms or crypto wallets. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 As the lazy days of summer fade and little ones return to school, autumn invites an air of academia. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lazy

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

perhaps from Middle Low German lasich feeble; akin to Middle High German erleswen to become weak

First Known Use

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lazy was in 1549

Phrases Containing lazy

Rhymes for lazy

See All Rhymes for lazy

Browse Nearby Words

lazurite
lazy
lazyback
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lazy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lazy

adjective
la·​zy
ˈlā-zē
lazier; laziest
1
: not willing to act or work : indolent
2
: moving slowly : sluggish
a lazy stream
lazily
-zə-lē
adverb
laziness
-zē-nəs
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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