languor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "languor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of tiredness or fatigue, often associated with a lack of energy or vitality. Example: "After the long hike, a sense of languor settled over the group as they rested by the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can't help it; he has a compulsive nature – one that, like his professed "crippling self-consciousness", seems to be at odds with the insouciance and languor of his public persona.

The Guardian - Film

The town's languor was now more understandable.

The Guardian - Travel

But it is not the first time that America has complained about China's languor in meeting its WTO obligations.

The Economist

Aristocratic languor, critics thought, made him too diffident sometimes on the field.

The Economist

The language comes complete with references to bones "torn from their sockets", while Ivanov's anti-Semitic attacks on his dying wife are both casual and blunt.The result releases the play from Chekhov's natural languor while blunting its pathos in the process.

The Economist

This trend might strengthen the case for proportional representation but only if the voters shake off their summer-holiday languor.

The Economist

Anyone who watches the stockmarkets knows that they undergo periods of wild adolescent swings as well as times of geriatric languor.

The Economist

And inflation has gone up by more than the quarter-point rise in Japanese interest rates, leaving real rates close to zero and even lower than last year.The most popular explanation of the yen's languor is a revival of the "carry trade" (ie, borrowing in cheap yen to buy higher-yielding investments elsewhere).

The Economist

Many of these works are poetic mythologies on themes of unrequited love, which are pervaded by an air of languor and melancholy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If there was languor in the court when he first joined, he soon changed that, writing pointed, often spicy opinions either in dissent of rulings or with the majority, and deploying sharp lines of questioning in oral arguments.

Independent

We craved further detail, we wanted to know something was being done, and when Jefferies's arrest came, we pored over the intricate details of his weirdness in a Quality Street-induced languor.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "languor" to evoke a sense of relaxed stillness or dreamy inactivity. It works well in descriptive writing to set a particular mood or atmosphere.

Common error

While "languor" can describe a state of inactivity, it shouldn't be used interchangeably with clinical depression. "Languor" is often temporary and situational, whereas depression is a more serious and persistent condition requiring professional help.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "languor" is as a noun. It refers to a state or feeling of weariness, stillness, or dreamy inactivity. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a condition caused by exhaustion or disease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Languor" is a noun that describes a state of weariness, inactivity, or dreamy stillness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, to evoke a specific mood or describe a temporary state. While the term is often associated with negative connotations, it can also imply a sense of relaxed peacefulness. Related terms include "lethargy" and "lassitude", each with slightly different nuances. When using "languor", be mindful of its potential to be confused with more serious conditions like depression. It is a versatile word for adding depth and texture to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lethargy

Focuses more on a state of inactivity and reduced alertness.

lassitude

Emphasizes a feeling of weariness and lack of energy, often after an illness.

listlessness

Highlights a lack of interest or enthusiasm.

apathy

Implies indifference or a lack of concern.

torpor

Suggests a state of inactivity, sometimes bordering on dormancy.

indolence

Emphasizes laziness and avoidance of work.

sluggishness

Describes a slow or inactive state, either physically or mentally.

inertia

Highlights a resistance to change or action.

enervation

Focuses on a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality.

drowsiness

Refers to a state of sleepiness or near-sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "languor" in a sentence?

You can use "languor" to describe a feeling of weariness or a state of inactivity. For example: "The heat of the afternoon induced a feeling of languor."

What words can I use instead of "languor"?

Alternatives to "languor" include "lethargy", "lassitude", or "listlessness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a state of languor"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "Languor" itself describes a state, so "a state of languor" emphasizes the condition being described. Using it twice like this can add additional emphasis to a sentence.

What's the difference between "languor" and "apathy"?

"Languor" describes a physical or mental weariness or inactivity, while "apathy" implies a lack of interest or emotion.