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lackadaisical

adjective
lack·​a·​dai·​si·​cal | \ ˌla-kə-ˈdā-zi-kəl How to pronounce lackadaisical (audio) \

Definition of lackadaisical

: lacking life, spirit, or zest : languid teachers who are impatient with lackadaisical students
Other Words from lackadaisical Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Where does lackadaisical come from? More Example Sentences Learn More about lackadaisical

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Other Words from lackadaisical

lackadaisically \ ˌla-​kə-​ˈdā-​zi-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce lackadaisically (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for lackadaisical

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm. languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness. was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity. languorous cats lying in the sun lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts. lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom. listless hospital patients listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life. a spiritless recital of the poem

Where does lackadaisical come from?

Alas, alack, there are times when life seems to be one unfortunate occurrence after another. We’ve all had days when nothing seemed to go right. When folks had one of those days back in the 17th century, they'd cry "Lackaday" to express their sorrow and disappointment. "Lackaday" was a shortened form of the expression "alack the day." In the mid-1700s, "lackadaisical" was coined through addition of the suffix -ical. The word lackadaisy also was used around that time as an interjection similar to "lackaday," and this word, though never as prevalent as "lackaday," might have influenced the coinage of "lackadaisical."

Examples of lackadaisical in a Sentence

His teachers did not approve of his lackadaisical approach to homework. feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth

Recent Examples on the Web

 Other reports via social media included increased scalping, continued theft of cell phones and backpacks and allegedly lackadaisical police officers. — Jessi Roti, chicagotribune.com, "Security at Lollapalooza tested by fence jumpers, thefts and enormous crowd at Lil Wayne’s set," 3 Aug. 2019 The pair first met on the set of Glee, which Falchuk created alongside Murphy, as Paltrow joined the show in in 2010 for a season 2 guest spot to play lackadaisical substitute teacher Holly Holliday. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Gwyneth Paltrow Joined by Husband Brad Falchuk and Mom Blythe Danner at The Politician Screening," 3 Aug. 2019 Headline risk, combined with Alphabet’s lackadaisical approach to everything but search, is giving us a depressed valuation. — Adam Seessel, Fortune, "Valuation: I’m a Google Shareholder. Here’s Why I Think More Regulation Would Be Good for Google," 26 July 2019 Philadelphia looked lackadaisical during a 16-2 thrashing in the first night of the four-game set, but recovered to win a walk-off game against closer Kenley Jansen on the second night and pummel the Dodgers bullpen again in the series finale. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Giants are best example of National League mediocrity making trade market murky," 20 July 2019 Listed among the seven deadly sins, and used to describe someone who is lazy, indolent and otherwise lackadaisical, sloth takes on a different meaning when one is born — for the first time — at a major South Florida attraction. — Doug Phillips, sun-sentinel.com, "Sloth: A bad human trait, but a cutey pie for newborn zoo animal," 18 July 2019 Meyer was faulted for allowing his sailors to develop lackadaisical military practices. — Megan Rose, ProPublica, "Trump Keeps Talking About the Last Military Standoff With Iran — Here’s What Really Happened," 24 June 2019 The reaction from some parents, though, verged on the lackadaisical. — Stephanie Clifford, WIRED, "He Cyberstalked Teen Girls for Years—Then They Fought Back," 24 June 2019 However, Illinois’ pressure perimeter defense and the Spartans’ own lackadaisical ball-handling and passing turned into 15 MSU turnovers. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State's turnovers slow dominant night in 87-74 win vs. Illinois," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lackadaisical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lackadaisical

1768, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lackadaisical

irregular from lackaday + -ical

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More Definitions for lackadaisical

lackadaisical

adjective
How to pronounce lackadaisical (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lackadaisical

: feeling or showing a lack of interest or enthusiasm

See the full definition for lackadaisical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on lackadaisical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lackadaisical

Spanish Central: Translation of lackadaisical

Nglish: Translation of lackadaisical for Spanish Speakers

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