bone-lazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bone-lazy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely lazy or unwilling to exert effort. Example: "After a long week at work, I felt bone-lazy and just wanted to lounge on the couch all weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Designer Irene Sharaff: "bone-lazy, inflexible, faintly condescending to most people, an intellectual (though she's not overblessed in that department) snob and a crashing bore".

The Guardian - Books

The years abroad, allied to a voracious reading habit, also provided intellectual ballast for a self-confessed "bone-lazy" student who had dropped out of high school.Mr Jennings's success at ABC was set against the decline not just of network news (the average age of ABC's audience is now 60) but also of the journalism he enjoyed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was said to have graduated from Oxford, but was bone lazy.

The New York Times - Arts

Every once in a while, he just pops up and says things like, "Being bone lazy".

Vice

Undermining the book's structural deftness is a lazy bone.

The New York Times

Lazy Bones, meanwhile, might be utterly derivative, but at least the source material was good.

The Guardian - Music

Was the television viewer in 1950, who at least selected channels, really a lazy bones?

The New York Times

The first TV remote, called Lazy Bones, was introduced by Zenith in 1950.

The New York Times

The reason: cable channels have had enormous success in the summer picnicking on their lazy bones -- otherwise known as repeats.

The New York Times

In 1950, Zenith created a television remote control called Lazy Bones, which communicated with the set through a wire.

The New York Times - Magazine

Robert Adler, the inventor of the Lazy Bones, carried remote technology forward with an ultrasound device called the Space Command.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bone-lazy" sparingly for emphasis, as it's a stronger and less common way to describe laziness. It adds a colorful, somewhat informal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "bone-lazy" too frequently in your writing, as its strong connotation can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lazy" or "idle" in more common contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bone-lazy" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person) to describe their state of extreme laziness. Ludwig identifies this usage as correct and provides examples from news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bone-lazy" is a grammatically correct, albeit rare, way to describe someone extremely unwilling to work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is more informal and emphatic than simply saying "lazy". While it appears in some news and media sources, it is more suitable for casual writing due to its colorful and somewhat informal tone. Remember to use it sparingly for emphasis, and consider alternatives like "dead lazy" or "utterly slothful" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dead lazy

A simpler and more direct alternative. Uses "dead" as an intensifier.

Utterly slothful

Substitutes "lazy" with "slothful", emphasizing a lack of diligence or effort due to laziness.

Completely indolent

Replaces "lazy" with "indolent", implying a disposition to avoid exertion, both physically and mentally.

Hopelessly work-shy

Focuses on the avoidance of work, using "work-shy" to emphasize the disinclination to engage in labor.

Extremely idle

Uses "idle" instead of "lazy", highlighting a state of inactivity and unwillingness to work.

Incredibly shiftless

Employs "shiftless" to convey a lack of ambition and initiative, resulting in laziness.

Monumentally lethargic

Replaces "lazy" with "lethargic", suggesting a lack of energy and enthusiasm, leading to inactivity.

Pathetically inactive

Highlights the state of inactivity and passivity, using "inactive" to convey a lack of engagement.

Plainly unmotivated

Uses "unmotivated" instead of "lazy", referring to the absence of a desire or willingness to act.

Downright apathetic

Substitutes "lazy" with "apathetic", emphasizing a lack of interest or concern, which leads to inaction.

FAQs

How can I use "bone-lazy" in a sentence?

You can use "bone-lazy" to describe someone extremely unwilling to work or exert effort. For example: "After a long week, I felt "bone-lazy" and didn't want to do anything."

What are some alternatives to "bone-lazy"?

Some alternatives to "bone-lazy" include "dead lazy", "utterly slothful", or "completely indolent".

Is "bone-lazy" a formal or informal expression?

"Bone-lazy" is considered an informal expression, best suited for casual conversation or creative writing rather than formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "lazy" and "bone-lazy"?

"Bone-lazy" is a more emphatic form of "lazy", suggesting a deeper or more ingrained unwillingness to work. It implies a more intense degree of laziness than simply being "lazy".