lazy, idle, indolent

lazy, idle, indolent
These words mean "not active," "not in use or operation," "doing nothing." Although lazy can be used without implying reproach or condemnation, as in "lazy afternoon," it usually suggests criticism: "That boy is too lazy to learn." "I'm looking for a helper who is not incurably lazy." Idle suggests temporary inactivity or doing nothing through necessity, and hence carries no implication of faultfinding: "The machines are idle during the noon hour." "Because supplies did not arrive that day, the work crew was idle for seven hours." Indolent is applied to someone who not only avoids effort but likes to indulge in relaxation: "Jon was a contented, indolent fisherman." "Selling from door to door is no occupation for an indolent person." Related words that convey greater degrees of reproof than either lazy or indolent are sluggish and slothful.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • indolent — See lazy. See lazy, idle, indolent …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • idle — See lazy. See lazy, idle, indolent …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • lazy — See lazy, idle, indolent …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Idle — I dle, a. [Compar. {Idler}; superl. {Idlest}.] [OE. idel, AS. [=i]del vain, empty, useless; akin to OS. [=i]dal, D. ijdel, OHG. [=i]tal vain, empty, mere, G. eitel, Dan. & Sw. idel mere, pure, and prob. to Gr. ? clear, pure, ? to burn. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Idle pulley — Idle I dle, a. [Compar. {Idler}; superl. {Idlest}.] [OE. idel, AS. [=i]del vain, empty, useless; akin to OS. [=i]dal, D. ijdel, OHG. [=i]tal vain, empty, mere, G. eitel, Dan. & Sw. idel mere, pure, and prob. to Gr. ? clear, pure, ? to burn. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Idle wheel — Idle I dle, a. [Compar. {Idler}; superl. {Idlest}.] [OE. idel, AS. [=i]del vain, empty, useless; akin to OS. [=i]dal, D. ijdel, OHG. [=i]tal vain, empty, mere, G. eitel, Dan. & Sw. idel mere, pure, and prob. to Gr. ? clear, pure, ? to burn. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lazy — La zy, a. [Compar. {Lazier}; superl. {Laziest}.] [OE. lasie, laesic, of uncertain origin; cf. F. las tired, L. lassus, akin to E. late; or cf. LG. losig, lesig.] 1. Disinclined to action or exertion; averse to labor; idle; shirking work. Bacon.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lazy tongs — Lazy La zy, a. [Compar. {Lazier}; superl. {Laziest}.] [OE. lasie, laesic, of uncertain origin; cf. F. las tired, L. lassus, akin to E. late; or cf. LG. losig, lesig.] 1. Disinclined to action or exertion; averse to labor; idle; shirking work.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • idle — idleness, n. idly, adv. /uyd l/, adj., idler, idlest, v. idled, idling, n. adj. 1. not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing: idle workers. 2. not spent or filled with activity: idle hours. 3. not in use or operation; not kept busy: idle… …   Universalium

  • idle — i•dle [[t]ˈaɪd l[/t]] adj. i•dler, i•dlest, 1) not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing 2) not filled with activity: idle hours[/ex] 3) not in use or operation: idle machinery[/ex] 4) habitually doing nothing or avoiding work; lazy 5) of… …   From formal English to slang

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