laid-back

American  

[leyd-bak] / ˈleɪdˈbæk /

Or laidback

adjective

Slang.

1. relaxed or unhurried.

   laid-back music rhythms.

2. free from stress; easygoing; carefree.

   a laid-back way of living.

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laid-back British  

adjective

1. informal relaxed in style, character, or behaviour; easy-going and unhurried

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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

See Examples For:

laid-back

He had never been in a serious relationship and his laid-back vibe didn’t scream committed or emotionally available.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Plans to build an Islamic religious site in Fujisawa, a laid-back seaside town about an hour's drive south of Tokyo, have sparked a wide range of emotions.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

“Paul was the typical laid-back California guy. Nothing fazed him,” Ramos said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

A separate, more casual dining area can also be found just off the great room, providing the perfect place for a laid-back breakfast or morning coffee.

From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026

Beneath my laid-back college-kid demeanor, I lived like a half-closeted CEO, quietly but unswervingly focused on achievement, bent on checking every box.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• easygoing
• mellow