LAZY

Meaning

Unwilling to do work or make an effort; disinclined to exertion.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Attested since 1540, origin uncertain. Probably from Low German and Middle Low German lasich (“slack, feeble, lazy”), from las, from Old Saxon lask, from Proto-Germanic *lasiwaz, *laskaz (“feeble, weak”), from Proto-Indo-European *las- (“weak”). Akin to Dutch leuzig (“lazy”), German lässig (“casual, nonchalant, laid-back, easy-going”), Old Norse lasinn (“limpy, tired, weak”), Old English lesu, lysu (“false, evil, base”). More at lush. An alternative etymology traces lazy to Early Modern English laysy, a derivative of lay (plural lays + -y) in the same way that tipsy is derived from tip. See lay.

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

• 2025-09-20ADENYZL
• 2024-09-22YAZLIED