laze

American  

[leyz] / leɪz /

verb (used without object)

lazed, lazing

1. to idle or lounge lazily (often followed byaround ).

   I was too tired to do anything but laze around this weekend.

---

verb (used with object)

lazed, lazing

1. to pass (time, life, etc.) lazily (usually followed byaway ).

noun

1. a period of ease or indolence.

   a quiet laze in the hammock.

laze British  

/ leɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to be indolent or lazy

2. to spend (time) in indolence

---

noun

1. the act or an instance of idling

Related Words

See lounge.

Etymology

Origin of laze

First recorded in 1585–95; back formation from lazy

Explanation

To laze is to be very relaxed. On a hot summer weekend morning, you might want to laze on the beach or in a hammock with a book. When you laze, you lounge around, not working or really doing much of anything: you're being luxuriously lazy. If your friend asks what you plan to do during a school holiday, you might reply, "I'm just going to laze around all week." Laze came from lazy, originally laysy, and meaning "averse to work." Its origin is a mystery, though some experts think it's related to lay.

Example Sentences

Advice from Wirecutter: Laze under this patio umbrella.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2022

"Laze plumes occurred each time lava flows reached and flowed into the ocean during the entire 35 years," she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2018

Laze itself is not enough to cause serious burns, Babb said, unless someone is right on top of where lava enters the ocean.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2018

Laze is formed when lava enters the ocean and triggers a series of chemical reactions.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2018

In bed I muse on Tenier's boors, Embrowned and beery losels all;       A wakeful brain       Elaborates pain: Within low doors the slugs of boors Laze and yawn and doze again.

From John Marr and Other Poems by Melville, Herman

Related Words

• loiter
• loll
• saunter