lazing around

USAGE SUMMARY

"lazing around" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe someone being lazy or relaxed, typically in a leisurely manner. It can be used in both informal and formal writing. Example: After a long week at work, I spent my Saturday lazing around in my backyard, reading a book and enjoying the sunshine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

afternoon tea cucumber sandwiches scones and jam 2. When we're not lazing around drinking tea, we're probably enjoying other traditional items such as cockles or Welsh laverbread.

The Guardian

Delicious fresh fish, world-renowned diving, kayaking or sailing are all on the agenda, as is lazing around doing absolutely nothing under the African sun.

The Guardian - Travel

Perfect for lazing around, taking gentle boat trips and eating delicious northern Italian food, the Villa Feltrinelli is a hopelessly romantic spot.

The Guardian - Travel

Everyone knows that the best thing about Christmas is the knowledge that most people up and down the country are lazing around, stuffed full of roast turkey, watching telly just like you.

Independent

The route was well-traveled, though uncrowded, as most of the vacationers seemed to be more interested in taking a dip in the 72-degree water or just lazing around, admiring the view.

The New York Times - Travel

When I went to Norway to report on Keiko's progress (or lack of progress, really), he had just come back from a few weeks of wandering (from Iceland to Norway, a stroll around the block for an orca) and was lazing around, begging his caretakers for tummy rubs and fish sticks.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Before that they used to laze around and they were watching TV," Mr. Bhalla said.

The New York Times

My plan was to laze around on a quiet beach with a frozen drink and take a leisurely look at the undersea scenery.

The Washington Post

We escape by long-boat to Koh Russei, or Bamboo Island, to laze around on its golden squiggle of a beach and snorkel around its reefs.

The Guardian - Travel

That long scene — almost a third of the movie's running time — in which the two main characters laze around in a long postcoital seminar, talking about love, death, literature and music while the camera floats around them.

The New York Times

With all the opportunities to gorge and laze around over the holidays, it is little surprise that conventional wisdom suggests that the average person will pack on at least five pounds this season.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "lazing around" with descriptive details to paint a vivid picture of relaxation. For example: "lazing around on a sun-drenched beach".

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid using "lazing around" in formal or professional writing where a more sophisticated term like "leisurely relaxing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lazing around" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe the act of spending time relaxing and doing very little. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this phrase is commonly used to depict someone being lazy or relaxed in a leisurely manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

11%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Huffington Post

7%

The New York Times

7%

The Guardian

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lazing around" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrasal verb that describes leisurely inactivity. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptability in both informal and formal writing. While versatile, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts and maintains a generally neutral, leaning towards informal, register. When writing, remember to use "lazing around" to depict intentional relaxation and to consider more formal alternatives like "leisurely relaxing" when writing for professional audiences. Related terms include "lounging about" and "loafing around", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loafing around

Similar to lazing, but can imply aimlessness.

lounging about

Focuses more on reclining or relaxing in a comfortable position.

idling away

Highlights the passage of time while being inactive.

relaxing idly

Highlights the lack of purpose or activity during relaxation.

taking it easy

Emphasizes a deliberately relaxed and unhurried approach.

chilling out

Implies a casual and informal approach to relaxation.

kicking back

Suggests a more active form of relaxation, often involving leisure activities.

goofing off

Suggests wasting time on silly or frivolous activities.

slacking off

Indicates avoiding work or responsibility.

wasting time

Emphasizes the unproductive nature of the activity.

FAQs

How to use "lazing around" in a sentence?

You can use "lazing around" to describe a state of relaxation and inactivity, such as, "After a long week, I plan to spend the weekend "lazing around" at home."

What can I say instead of "lazing around"?

You can use alternatives like "lounging about", "loafing around", or "taking it easy" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lazing around" or "laying around"?

"Lazing around" and "laying around" have different meanings. "Lazing around" implies relaxing and being idle, while "laying around" means placing something down or being in a prone position.

What's the difference between "lazing around" and "goofing off"?

"Lazing around" generally refers to relaxing and doing nothing, while "goofing off" implies wasting time on silly or frivolous activities.