lackadaisical

USAGE SUMMARY

'lackadaisical' is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
This word is most often used to describe someone who is unenthusiastic and apathetic. For example, "After weeks of consistently being late to work, the employee's attitude had become increasingly lackadaisical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that is miles away from fashion's lackadaisical vibe right now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While the US back line was repeatedly breached by a home side that ought to have scored at least twice more, the visitors did not cave and produced a spirited second-half comeback that exposed the Dutch defence as lackadaisical and disorganised.

The Guardian - Sport

Environmental types blamed Mr Bush's lackadaisical attitude to wetlands.

The Economist

That catching up was somewhat lackadaisical: the gap closed at just 1.5% a year.

The Economist

But the fact that we have avoided the muscle pulls, tendon strains and ligament tears that go hand in hand with a lackadaisical approach to personal fitness mixed with occasional, intense and deeply misguided attempts at physical exertions on the cricket pitch wins us a place in the team.Other members of the side have more to offer than merely being free of injury.

The Economist

At that point even the lackadaisical British might realise that something is up.

The Economist

They also called on the federal government to speed up its lackadaisical efforts to bring in a national plan to reduce emissions.In this section Chávez grapples with a 50/50 nation High-speed gas Policy, not altruism Oh! Susana ReprintsEnvironmentalists fret that development of the St Lawrence basin gas deposits would enlarge the province's carbon footprint.

The Economist

The members of Para 3, a mortar unit stationed at the Kajaki wadi, are so familiar with their posting that they seem somewhat lackadaisical about the dangers of war.

The Economist

Instead, out of prudishness, intolerance and Soviet-style pig-headedness, the response was criminally lackadaisical.

The Economist

While the Maoists campaigned for the poll vigorously led by their charismatic leader, Pushpal Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda ("awesome")—Nepal's two biggest parties ran lackadaisical campaigns.

The Economist

A prime justification for his rebellion was dissatisfaction with Mr Berlusconi's lackadaisical view of alleged corruption in his government and his party.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lackadaisical" to describe a temporary state of indifference rather than an inherent personality trait. For example, "His lackadaisical approach to the project was unusual, as he's normally very dedicated."

Common error

Avoid using "lackadaisical" when describing severe depression or clinical apathy. The word implies a mild disinterest, not a profound emotional or psychological condition.

Linguistic Context

The word "lackadaisical" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of indifference, laziness, or lack of enthusiasm. Ludwig examples show it describing attitudes, approaches, and even security regimes. According to Ludwig AI the word describes someone unenthusiastic and apathetic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "lackadaisical" describes a state of indifference or a lack of enthusiasm, often implying a need for more effort or seriousness. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally used to describe someone who is unenthusiastic and apathetic. It's a grammatically correct and common term, frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources. When writing, remember that while "lackadaisical" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional settings. Avoid using it to describe severe apathy or clinical depression, as the term implies a milder form of disinterest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unenthusiastic

Directly states the absence of enthusiasm.

half-hearted

Indicates a lack of commitment or enthusiasm.

apathetic

Focuses more on the absence of feeling or emotion.

lethargic

Emphasizes a state of tiredness and sluggishness.

listless

Highlights a lack of energy and enthusiasm.

sluggish

Describes a slow and inactive state.

indifferent

Implies a lack of concern or interest.

negligent

Suggests a failure to take proper care or attention.

lazy

Focuses on the unwillingness to work or make an effort.

casual

Implies a relaxed and unconcerned approach.

FAQs

How can I use "lackadaisical" in a sentence?

You can use "lackadaisical" to describe someone's attitude or approach to a task, such as "His "lackadaisical attitude" towards studying resulted in poor grades".

What words are similar to "lackadaisical"?

Alternatives include "apathetic", "lethargic", and "unenthusiastic", each carrying a slightly different nuance of indifference or laziness.

Is it appropriate to use "lackadaisical" in formal writing?

While "lackadaisical" is generally acceptable, consider more formal synonyms like "negligent" or "indifferent" for academic or professional contexts to maintain a serious tone.

What's the difference between "lackadaisical" and "lazy"?

"Lazy" implies an unwillingness to work, while "lackadaisical" suggests a more general indifference or lack of enthusiasm. Someone can be "lackadaisical in their approach" without necessarily being unwilling to work.