Definition

1. Noun:
   • Apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins): In a religious or moral context, "laziness" can refer to the sinful avoidance of effort and duty.
   • Relaxed and easy activity; a state of being idle: "Laziness" can describe a pleasant, unhurried state of rest or inactivity.
   • Inactivity resulting from a dislike of work: The most common meaning, referring to the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy; idleness.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant laziness prevented him from finishing the project on time. (Here, "laziness" means an unwillingness to work.)
  • She enjoyed the sheer laziness of the Sunday afternoon, reading a book in the hammock. (Here, "laziness" refers to a relaxed, easy state.)
  • In some theological teachings, laziness, or sloth, is considered a deadly sin. (Here, "laziness" is used in its moral/religious sense.)

Advanced Usage

• "The sin of laziness": Often used to refer specifically to the deadly sin of sloth (acedia), implying a spiritual apathy.

  • The monk warned against the dangers of the sin of laziness.

• "A certain laziness of mind": Used figuratively to describe an unwillingness to think deeply or engage intellectually.

  • His argument showed a certain laziness of mind, relying on clichés rather than analysis.

Variants and Related Words

• Lazy (adj): Unwilling to work or use energy.

  • He was too lazy to get out of bed.

• Laze (verb): To spend time relaxing or doing very little.

  • She planned to laze by the pool all day.

Synonyms

• Idleness: The state of being inactive or not working.
• Indolence: Habitual laziness; slothfulness.
• Sloth: Laziness, especially as a moral fault or sin (more formal).

Antonyms

• Industriousness: The quality of being hard-working.
• Diligence: Careful and persistent work or effort.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A lazybones": (Informal, noun) A lazy person.

  • Come on, lazybones, it's time to get up!

• "To live a life of leisure/laziness": To spend one's time in relaxation and idleness.

  • After retiring, he lived a life of leisure.

Noun

1. apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins)
2. relaxed and easy activity
   • the laziness of the day helped her to relax
3. inactivity resulting from a dislike of work