lazy

USAGE SUMMARY

"lazy" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something or someone that does not wish to work or use energy. Example: "The lazy cat slept for hours in the sun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

Tech

Travel

Books

Arts

Film

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He, determined to help wash dishes with an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for 'up!', found me and a lazy dog blocking his way.

The Guardian

Apple's chief designer Jonathan Ive recently criticised Xiaomi's alleged copying of its iPhone, saying: "It is theft and it is lazy.

The Guardian - Tech

And this is the thing: if we weren't inherently lazy, we wouldn't work in offices.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I got dropped early because I was being lazy," Lee said afterward, "but I got momentum late in the fight because I boxed consistently.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem isn't that online activism is lazy, because it's not.

The Guardian - Opinion

The term is often a symptom of lazy thinking by a generation that hasn't played games and can't see what all the fuss is about (or, as the great Douglas Adams put it: "Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I'm not usually that desperate because, as I mentioned, I am also quite lazy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com) flies to Cairo from Heathrow from £302 Malabar House is ideal for combining lazy days on the Keralan backwaters with exploring the region's history.

The Guardian - Travel

By the end of his time there, he had become the scapegoat for a team that was perceived as lazy and entitled.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: How to cook the perfect chicken korma By contrast, Meera Sodha's Made in India and Mr Todiwala's Bombay use yoghurt alone, with Sodha suggesting Greek yoghurt for those of us too lazy to make our own (ie me).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a cosy thought: the word "poverty" is nothing more than lazy nomenclature, unfair shorthand for helpless, naked babies with swollen bellies and xylophonic ribs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lazy" to describe a person, be mindful of the potentially negative connotations and consider whether a more neutral term like "idle" or "inactive" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "lazy" as a blanket explanation for complex behaviors or situations. Consider the underlying causes or circumstances before attributing laziness.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "lazy" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, attributing a quality of unwillingness to work or exert effort to a noun. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can describe both people and things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Tech

5%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lazy" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective that characterizes a disinclination towards work or effort. While generally acceptable in written English, it's important to be aware of its potential negative connotations. According to Ludwig, the term appears frequently across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Opinion contexts. Therefore, while "lazy" is a valid and widely used term, mindful word choice is crucial to avoid unintended implications. The Ludwig AI confirms that "lazy" is a correct and usable word, suggesting to use it as an adjective to describe something or someone that does not wish to work or use energy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work-shy

Directly indicates an aversion to work; a more informal term.

indolent

Implies a disinclination to work or exertion; less judgmental than "lazy".

slothful

Suggests habitual laziness and a love of ease; carries a stronger moral judgment.

idle

Describes a state of inactivity, but not necessarily unwillingness to work; more neutral.

lackadaisical

Implies a lack of enthusiasm and energy; suggests indifference.

lethargic

Suggests a state of drowsiness and inactivity; often due to illness or fatigue.

apathetic

Indicates a lack of interest or concern; focuses on emotional disengagement.

negligent

Suggests a failure to take proper care or attention; implies a dereliction of duty.

shiftless

Implies a lack of ambition and resourcefulness; often carries a negative connotation.

inactive

Describes a state of not being active or energetic; a more general term.

FAQs

How can I use "lazy" in a sentence?

You can use "lazy" to describe someone who is unwilling to work or make an effort, as in "He's too lazy to get a job". It can also describe something that is relaxed or leisurely, like "a lazy Sunday afternoon".

What are some synonyms for "lazy"?

Synonyms for "lazy" include "indolent", "slothful", "idle", and "lackadaisical". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to describe someone as "lazy"?

While "lazy" often carries a negative connotation, it can sometimes be used in a neutral or even positive way to describe a relaxed or leisurely situation, such as a "lazy river" at a water park.

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

"Lazy" implies an unwillingness to work or make an effort, while "tired" suggests a lack of energy due to exertion or fatigue. Someone can be tired but still willing to work, whereas someone who is lazy is disinclined to work regardless of their energy level.