indolent

Indolent is an English adjective derived from Latin indolentem, meaning “without pain” (in- ‘not’ + dolent- ‘pain’). The term originally described something free from pain, but it has evolved in common usage to denote a reluctance to exert effort or activity. It can describe a person, their behavior, or a lifestyle that is habitually lazy or inactive, and it can carry a mildly pejorative nuance.

In medical contexts, indolent describes diseases, tumors, or conditions that progress slowly and cause little or no pain or symptoms. Indolent cancers, such as certain low-grade lymphomas, tend to advance gradually and may not require immediate aggressive treatment. Management often focuses on monitoring and maintaining quality of life rather than rapid intervention. The contrast with terms like aggressive or rapidly progressive is central in clinical decision-making.

Historically the sense of laziness or lack of energy developed alongside or after the original meaning related to pain, reflecting a broader shift in how the word is used in English. In contemporary medical usage, indolent is a precise descriptor, whereas in everyday language it should be applied with care when referring to people, to avoid undue offense.

See also: laziness, inertia, indolence (noun), chronic diseases.

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