adjective
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lacking vitality and purpose
-
lazy or idle, esp in a dreamy way
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lackadaisical
First recorded in 1760–70; lackadais(y) (variant of lackaday ) + -ical
Explanation
Even though lackadaisical sounds like it has something to do with a shortage of daisies, know that what it really means is lacking in spirit or liveliness. A person with a lackadaisical attitude shows no enthusiasm and puts forth a half-hearted effort. But it's more of a dreamy, laid back approach rather than sheer laziness. This funny-sounding adjective came about in the 18th century from the interjection lackaday, which was an old-fashioned way of saying "oh man!" or "unfortunately."
Vocabulary lists containing lackadaisical
The Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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Languor Management: Synonyms for "Lazy"
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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.
Lackadaisical loan officers became aggressive, and in August Chase led the Eurodollar market by participating in 46 major syndicated loans totaling $1.7 billion.
From Time Magazine Archive
Lackadaisical gentlemen had better emigrate to fool's-land, where men get their living by wearing shiny boots and lavender gloves.
From Brave Men and Women Their Struggles, Failures, And Triumphs by Fuller, O. E. (Osgood Eaton)
Lackadaisical Gertrude, whose face is so perfect in the daytime, looks pale and insipid by gaslight, and timidly walks through the dance.
From A Confederate Girl's Diary by Dawson, Sarah Morgan
Lackadaisical mankind did not then dream of the thoroughness and elaboration with which Deutschland was preparing her many deep and diabolical designs.
From Villa Elsa A Story of German Family Life by Henry, Stuart Oliver
Lackadaisical Magdalens drop sentimental tears, and the Angel of the Annunciation capers above the head of an affected Virgin, while violent colours, intensified chiaroscuro, and black greasy impasto betray the neighbourhood of the tenebrosi.
From The Venetian School of Painting by Phillipps, Evelyn March
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.
