lethargic
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
feeling very tired and slow, as if you have no energy to move.
characterised by a lack of physical energy or vitality; sluggish and slow-moving.
Simple“The hot summer weather made everyone feel lethargic and sleepy.”
In context“After recovering from the flu, he remained lethargic for several weeks, finding even minor physical exertion exhausting.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
having no interest or excitement about things that usually matter.
showing a lack of motivation, interest, or enthusiasm; apathetic in nature.
Simple“The company's lethargic response to the problem frustrated many customers.”
In context“The administration was criticised for its lethargic approach to economic reform, which many argued was stifling national growth.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“Elena, who works in hospitality and as an actress in London, says she feels lethargic and "completely unmotivated" during her luteal phase.”
Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ληθαργικός (lēthargikós), from λήθαργος (lḗthargos, “forgetful, lethargic”), from λήθη (lḗthē, “a forgetting, forgetfulness”) (from which Lethe (“river in Hades”)) + ἀργός (argós, “not working”). By surface analysis, lethargy + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.