slothful

Slothful is an adjective describing a person or behavior that is lazy or lacking in diligence. It characterizes habitual laziness or avoidance of exertion, and can apply to work, duties, or physical activity. In everyday use it often carries a negative or moralizing undertone, though it can refer to a temporary state rather than a fixed trait.

Etymology and nuance: The term derives from Old English and Middle English roots related to slowness and laziness, with sloth as the corresponding noun. It is historically linked to the concept of sloth in the seven deadly sins, but in modern usage it need not imply vice so deeply as in religious contexts. It generally contrasts with mere tardiness by emphasizing persistent unwillingness to act or apply effort.

Usage and related terms: Common collocations include phrases like “slothful worker” or “slothful progress.” Synonyms include lazy, indolent, lethargic, and negligent; antonyms include industrious and diligent. In religious or moral discussions, sloth may be treated as a sin or vice; in secular contexts, it often signals inefficiency or neglect of duties. It is not a clinical term and should be used with awareness of its evaluative connotations.