# accidie

/ˈæksɪdi/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accidie
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

a feeling of deep sadness, boredom, or lack of interest in life. It is an old word that people used to describe a spiritual or mental state of being stuck.

For teachers: a state of spiritual or mental depression, characterized by a lack of interest in life or a sense of being stuck. Often associated with medieval religious contexts as a form of spiritual sloth or melancholy.

## Examples

- The monk struggled with accidie during the long winter months.
- In medieval literature, accidie was often depicted as a heavy, invisible weight that prevented the soul from seeking divine grace.
- The poet's later works are marked by a pervasive sense of accidie, reflecting a deep disillusionment with the very ideals that had once driven his creative output.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.