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 /

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

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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

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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 lethargy in the labor market is highly unusual by historical standards.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 29, 2026

For camels this means when heat stress sets in, their metabolism slows down to limit internal heat production leading to sharp reduction in food intake resulting in lethargy and generalised fatigue.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

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

Carrick's men paid for their lethargy five minutes into the second half.

From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026

If a Pogrebin is allowed to tail a human for many hours, a sense of great futility will overcome its prey, who will eventually fall into a state of lethargy and despair.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

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

My lethargies have not dulled my delight in good books.

From The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol II. by Thomas Carlyle

Thus in my journey during those long hours I found it—agonies subsiding into lethargies, and these breaking again into frenzy.

From Uncle Silas A Tale of Bartram-Haugh by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

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

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

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Related Words

• apathy
• disinterest
• drowsiness
• inactivity

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