lethargy

[ leth-er-jee ]

noun

, plural leth·ar·gies.

1. the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.
2. Pathology. an abnormal state or disorder characterized by overpowering drowsiness or sleep.

lethargy

/ ˈlɛθədʒɪ; lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk /

noun

1. sluggishness, slowness, or dullness
2. an abnormal lack of energy, esp as the result of a disease

Derived Forms

• leˈthargically, adverb
• lethargic, adjective

Other Words From

• hyper·lethar·gy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lethargy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Late Latin lēthargia, from Greek lēthargía, equivalent to lḗtharg(os) “drowsy” + -ia -y ³ ( Lethe, -algia ); replacing Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargīa, from Late Greek, Greek, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of lethargy¹

C14: from Late Latin lēthargīa, from Greek lēthargos drowsy, from lēthē forgetfulness

Example Sentences

The EU for all its lethargy, faults and fetishization of bureaucracy, is, ultimately, a good idea.

From TechCrunch

Those symptoms are different from the much more common flu-like aches and lethargy that can occur a day after receiving the shot, which are generally harmless side-effects of inoculation against the coronavirus.

From Washington Post

One of them told me recently that the only way he can feel excitement is gambling, because then he knows he can lose everything and that excitement wakes him up from the lethargy of life.

From Vox

This isn’t to say the sensations of lethargy, dullness, and torpor are not real—they are, and they can be quite paralzying.

From Outside Online

Citing a lack of in-person contact, she constantly battles lethargy.

From Voice of San Diego

“I believe it is necessary to sacrifice myself to break through the lethargy that overwhelms us,” he wrote.

From The Daily Beast

An inquiry launched into the handling of the case should make clear whether that lethargy amounted to deliberate neglect.

From The Daily Beast

Arizona is no longer the sun-drenched home of the Grand Canyon, golf courses, and retirees exulting in 100-degree lethargy.

From The Daily Beast

Austria's fall was due to the lethargy and hesitation of the courts of Berlin and St. Petersburg.

From Project Gutenberg

Cicogne told him the news, and how the Princess was lying on a blue bed in a state of lethargy.

From Project Gutenberg

When he awoke, though he seemed physically refreshed, the mind remained in a lethargy.

From Project Gutenberg

In the darkness of the night he was shaken out of his lethargy by a sharp scratch on his shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

But the meaning was, "God wills we should all perish or become slaves;" and on every hand was dumb lethargy or mad blasphemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apathy
• disinterest
• drowsiness
• inactivity