laggard

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "laggard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to someone or something that is slow to act, progress, or develop. For example: "The laggard speed of the computer made it difficult to complete the task in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A nation once praised as a leader but now viewed as a laggard.

The Guardian

Shelton rejected the notion that Australia was a laggard and he said the Asian and Muslim world would not embrace same sex-marriage.

The Guardian

Howes said Australia had become an "aid laggard" among developed countries.

The Guardian

The latter move could liberalise a host of industries from shipping to finance.It is now America's turn to be the laggard.

The Economist

Indonesia, the perpetual laggard, has dropped a plan to go soft on corrupt and indebted tycoons and brought in a new, supposedly more scrupulous team to sell the state's industrial assets.

The Economist

Even before the crisis struck, Greece was a laggard.

The Economist

Germany is a laggard when it comes to women on boards, though the numbers have been rising, as they have in places such as Britain that have no quotas.

The Economist

"It's better to have slow service for everyone than fast service for just a few," says Jose Manuel Nuñez, an opposition congressman, who argues that opening ICE to even partial competition will hurt its ability to serve the whole country.Yet that may make Costa Rica a laggard.

The Economist

The government has already drastically eased rules on false accounting, granted an amnesty for the illegal accumulation of assets offshore, tried to obstruct international judicial co-operation and is a laggard in ratifying a common European arrest warrant.

The Economist

The best explanation, in fact, is that broadband thrives on a mix of competition and active regulation, to ensure an open contest.A lack of competition-boosting oversight is one reason for the poor record of the United States (and indeed for New Zealand, another unexpected laggard).

The Economist

However well-meaning tax and regulatory initiatives in the laggard states may have been when they were conceived and levied, they have had unintended consequences that have led to economic underperformance and job destruction.There's quite a bit wrong with these paragraphs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laggard", consider whether you want to emphasize the slowness of progress, the act of falling behind, or a failure to meet expectations. Choose synonyms that best reflect your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "laggard" when a neutral term is more appropriate. "Laggard" often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of effort or capability. Use it judiciously to avoid unintended offense or bias.

Linguistic Context

The word "laggard" functions as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it refers to a person or thing that lags behind. As an adjective, it describes something characterized by slowness or delay. Ludwig examples demonstrate both usages across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "laggard" is a versatile descriptor, functioning as both a noun and an adjective, primarily denoting slowness or falling behind. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, particularly within news and media and formal business settings. While often carrying a negative connotation, it can be used neutrally. When writing, be mindful of the intended nuance—emphasizing slowness, deficiency, or simple lateness—and consider synonyms like "straggler" or "underperformer" for greater precision. In summary, "laggard" is a valuable tool for conveying a lack of progress, but mindful application ensures clarity and prevents unintended misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underperformer

Specifically refers to failing to meet expected standards or goals.

straggler

Focuses on the act of falling behind a group during a journey or process.

lagging indicator

Focuses on an economic factor that changes after the economy has already begun to follow a particular pattern or trend

dawdler

Emphasizes a leisurely pace and a tendency to waste time.

slowpoke

Informal term highlighting slowness in movement or action.

backslider

Highlights the idea of reversing progress or failing to meet a standard.

trailer

Implies being the last in a sequence or procession.

idler

Suggests inactivity and a lack of progress.

slow learner

Implies someone who learns new information slowly

drone

Highlights a lack of purpose and slow, monotonous progress.

FAQs

How can I use "laggard" in a sentence?

You can use "laggard" to describe something or someone that is slow to progress or develop. For example, "The company was a "laggard" in adopting new technologies."

What are some alternatives to "laggard"?

Some alternatives to "laggard" include "straggler", "dawdler", or "underperformer", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "laggard" and "underperformer"?

"Laggard" generally refers to slowness in progress, while "underperformer" specifically indicates a failure to meet expected standards or goals.

Is it always negative to call something a "laggard"?

While "laggard" often carries a negative connotation, it can sometimes be used neutrally to simply describe something that is behind in progress compared to others. However, be mindful of the potential for negative interpretation.