laid-back
Americanadjective
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relaxed or unhurried.
laid-back music rhythms.
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free from stress; easygoing; carefree.
a laid-back way of living.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of laid-back
1905–10, for an earlier sense; 1970–75 for current sense
Explanation
Someone who's laid-back is relaxed and at ease. A laid-back dog owner always stays calm, even when her dog jumps up on the dining room table. The opposite of laid-back is uptight. While a laid-back babysitter pretty much lets his charges do whatever they feel like, an uptight babysitter might make a schedule for doing chores, eating, and a strict bedtime. A laid-back party is often much more fun than a formal, dressy event, since people can wear whatever they're comfortable in and enjoy chatting with each other. Laid-back was coined in the 1970s, possibly from the slouchy posture of motorcycle riders.
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.
As the city has continued to grow, it has earned a reputation for its distinct brand of laid-back luxury, offering residents a bustling culture, mild weather, and a reasonably-priced cost of living.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
But when cooking at home, its chef-owner, Kwame Onwuachi, who also runs restaurants in Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas, takes a more laid-back approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
Posing for photos poolside, Domingo was the picture of laid-back charm, chatting with the crew in that commanding leather-and-gravel voice and flashing a toothsome smile.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
However, it now offers a laid-back California feel thanks to the work that Scott has carried out during his ownership of the dwelling.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
But Culebra was in full swing when Sierra walked in, and instead of the usual laid-back El Mar scene, a sweaty mass of punks, teenyboppers, and hipsters pulsed and churned to the music.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
