indolence

American  

[in-dl-uhns] / ˈɪn dl əns /

noun

1. the quality or state of being indolent.

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Etymology

Origin of indolence

1595–1605; < Latin indolentia freedom from pain; see indolent, -ence

Explanation

If your boss catches you sleeping with your head on your desk, she's likely to comment on your indolence. Indolence is another word for laziness. The noun indolence means a habit of laziness, especially when avoiding work. In the 1600s, indolence was mostly used to mean "insensitivity to pain," from the Latin indolentia, "freedom from pain." About 100 years later, indolence came to have its current meaning, possibly because of the phrase "taking pains," which means "being careful." If you are so careful that you never leave the house, people might think of you as lazy.

Example Sentences

I’ve spent the last 40-odd years trying to fight the good fight against the forces of indolence and greed to do the best with our stuff that you can do.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2024

Theodore Agnew called counter-fraud efforts “woeful” and said the government was paralyzed by a combination of “arrogance, indolence and ignorance.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2022

In light of his own apparent indolence and distaste for his duties, perhaps Mr. Hice should not be using the word “vacation” quite so casually.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2021

Li, a dreamy scribbler who likes nothing better than to nap in the bedclothes after a long day of chasing calves around, finds the imposed indolence delicious.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2021

"Never was there a dogma more calculated to foster indolence, and to blunt the keen edge of curiosity," sniffed Lyell.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson