adjective
-
lacking vitality and purpose
-
lazy or idle, esp in a dreamy way
Other Word Forms
- lackadaisically adverb
- lackadaisicalness noun
Etymology
Origin of lackadaisical
First recorded in 1760–70; lackadais(y) (variant of lackaday ) + -ical
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was my characteristic lackadaisical attitude that got my father involved, and had him checking his watch and shoving me into the Sedan DeVille.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026
Ms Wilkie accused the management companies of being disingenuous, lackadaisical and unprofessional, while questioning how the bills can be passed from one firm to another over the past nine years.
From BBC • Aug. 13, 2025
Jared Vanderbilt’s steal and score in the fourth was a big play, but lackadaisical passing and a lack of attention threatened to cost the Lakers late.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2025
The Bronx rapper, celebrated for her sweet, lackadaisical flow, will drop her first full-length album on July 26.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024
The action took place in a sunny, lackadaisical way, with long lags between riders.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
