lazing about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lazing about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of relaxation or idleness, often implying a leisurely or carefree attitude. Example: "On weekends, I enjoy lazing about in my pajamas, sipping coffee and reading a good book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Lazing about and watching the telly is a particularly popular pastime.

The Economist

The label of Le Fierbois yogurt, produced proudly in Touraine, shows happy cows lazing about on the grass under two columns of trees.

The New York Times

How have we managed to sustain this illusion that women are basically just lazing about, whether they are raising a child, earning a living or both?

The Guardian - Opinion

His contemporary, Walt Whitman, wrote of the ideal he called "higher progress", in other words the liberation of human beings from wage slavery in favour of lazing about and reading books.

Independent

Simply lazing about and watching wildlife is pretty rewarding here, too: gopher turtles shaped like German helmets from World War II dodder about the island, Mr. Hensley says, and "we see dolphins and manatees every day".

The New York Times - Travel

In 1880 Paul Lafargue published "Le Droit à la Paresse" ("The Right to Laziness"), recommending that men should work no more than three hours a day, and spend the rest of the time "lazing about and feasting .Reconciling the French with hard work could prove ambitious.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I lazed about by the pool in the morning before flying back to Buenos Aires this afternoon.

The Guardian - Travel

Or you can just laze about in the shade of the twisting Aleppus pines and lick your melting ice cream.

The Guardian - Travel

Touts lazed about and tried half-heartedly to befriend us; it turned out they were selling camel rides, and seemed surprised when we said yes.

The New Yorker

Visitors can try their hand at various activities from tractor-driving to archery, but the next day we lazed about like happy cows in our meadow.

The Guardian - Travel

In "Is," the pianist Peter Longiaru played Debussy beautifully as the dancer Wu-Kang Chen lazed about, blowing air kisses and lounging on a ballet barre at the rear of the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lazing about" to vividly describe a scene of leisure and relaxation, enhancing the imagery with a sense of carefree enjoyment. For example: "The cats spent the afternoon lazing about in the sunbeams."

Common error

Avoid using "lazing about" in formal or professional writing, as it can sound too casual. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "resting" or "taking time off".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lazing about" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often used as a verb complement or adverbial modifier to describe a state of relaxation or inactivity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in English. It is frequently used in sentences to vividly depict leisurely activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lazing about" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that is used to describe relaxing and idle activities. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is indeed correct and usable. Its register is primarily informal, making it appropriate for casual conversation and descriptive narratives, but less suitable for formal or academic writing. Common alternatives include "lounging around" and "taking it easy". While the phrase is predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it also appears in Wiki and Science sources. Therefore, when aiming to depict leisure and relaxation vividly, "lazing about" can be a suitable choice, bearing in mind the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lounging around

Focuses more on posture and physical relaxation than general inactivity.

taking it easy

Emphasizes reducing effort and stress, rather than just being idle.

relaxing

A general term that can include active or passive leisure.

idling

Implies inactivity, often with a negative connotation of wasting time.

chilling out

An informal term suggesting a relaxed and calm state.

loafing around

Suggests aimless and lazy inactivity.

slacking off

Implies neglecting responsibilities in favor of leisure.

whiling away the time

Suggests spending time in a leisurely and enjoyable manner.

goofing off

Implies playful or silly inactivity.

taking a break

Highlights a temporary pause from activity, implying a return to work later.

FAQs

How can I use "lazing about" in a sentence?

You can use "lazing about" to describe someone relaxing idly, like "They spent the day lazing about on the beach."

What's a more formal way to say "lazing about"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "relaxing", "resting", or "taking time off" instead of "lazing about" in formal situations.

Is it appropriate to use "lazing about" in academic writing?

Generally, no. "Lazing about" is informal. Use more formal language in academic writing, such as "engaging in leisure activities" or "spending time in repose".

What is the difference between "lazing about" and "lounging around"?

"Lazing about" and "lounging around" are similar, but "lazing about" often implies a more relaxed or aimless state. "Lounging around" might suggest a more deliberate act of relaxation in a comfortable position.