Words / C2

lak-uh-DAYZ-ikl/ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkl/

Lackadaisical means lazily half-hearted, without energy or care for the job: a lackadaisical attitude, lackadaisical about the rota. Lazy (already in the dictionary) is everyday; indolent (already in the dictionary) is habitually idle. Lacklustre (already in the dictionary) is dull, not slack about duty; languid (already in the dictionary) is gracefully slow. Do not file a chained door as a shrug.

Meaning

Lacking enthusiasm and thoroughness; carelessly idle.

Examples

• “A lackadaisical shrug is not a fire-door minute.”
• “Lazy is everyday (already in A2). Indolent is idle by habit (already in C2). Lacklustre is dull (already in C1) — the mix-up. Languid is unhurried (already in C2). A calm check can still be thorough. “It will be fine” with no named warden is neglect. Write the minute; enthusiasm is optional.”

Good to know

Lazily half-hearted. Everyday: lazy (already in this dictionary). Close: indolent (already in C2). Mix-up: lacklustre (dull — already in C1). A shrug is not a fire door.

Near in meaning

lazy, indolent, careless, slack

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