lethargy

American  

[leth-er-jee] / ˈlɛθ ər dʒi /

noun

• lethargies
  plural

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.

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lethargy British  

/ ˈlɛθədʒɪ, lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk /

noun

1. sluggishness, slowness, or dullness

2. an abnormal lack of energy, esp as the result of a disease

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperlethargy
  noun
• lethargic
  adjective
• lethargically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lethargies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lethargy

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

Explanation

Is your pet slug always this comatose, or is this display of lethargy unusual? The word lethargy describes inactivity or a lack of energy. Lethargy comes from the Greek lethargos, originally meaning “inactive through forgetfulness.” Somewhere along the way, the word lost the implication of “forgetfulness” and just ended up hanging around in bed all day. Still, lethargy doesn’t necessarily imply laziness; it can be brought about by illness and may also describe a lack of strength. Other lethargic nouns include torpor, sluggishness, and languor.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lethargy lethargies

The twins developed severe symptoms, including blue lips, lethargy, diarrhea, and sunken eyes, according to the civil suit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Symptoms of adder bites in dogs include pain and swelling, bruising, lethargy, drooling and vomiting.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

Guardiola responded to City's lethargy by sending on Rodri for the injury-plagued Spain midfielder's first appearance since November 2, when he played for one minute against Bournemouth.

From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026

Like most of the countries where Christianity first took hold, wars and economic lethargy — not to mention a relatively easier path to emigration — have dwindled Lebanon’s Christian population over the decades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2025

It’s possible that high-stakes testing and its consequences might shake them from lethargy or despair.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

For the students from the Child School, who have varying forms of learning or social disabilities, the daring river exertion seemed to relieve them of whatever physical lethargies they had.

From New York Times ● May 21, 2011

Have we ever seen lethargies, or swoons, or syncopes last whole years together?

From The Phantom World or, The philosophy of spirits, apparitions, &c, &c. by Henry Christmas

When I behold a fashionable table set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I see gouts and dropsies, fevers and lethargies, with other innumerable distempers lying in ambuscade among the dishes.

From Many Thoughts of Many Minds A Treasury of Quotations from the Literature of Every Land and Every Age by Louis Klopsch

For my part, when I behold a fashionable table, set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I see gouts and dropsies, fevers and lethargies, with innumerable distempers, lying in ambuscade among the dishes.”

From Advice to a Young Man upon First Going to Oxford In Ten Letters, From an Uncle to His Nephew by Edward Berens

All its lethargies mingle their nightmares, its slumbers are a crowd, and from its human bodies lying prone there arises a vapour of dreams.

From The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo

Related Words

• apathy
• disinterest
• drowsiness
• inactivity