do-nothing

American  

[doo-nuhth-ing] / ˈduˌnʌθ ɪŋ /

noun

do-nothings plural

1. a person who chooses to do nothing; a lazy or worthless person.

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adjective

1. characterized by inability or unwillingness to initiate action, work toward a goal, assume responsibility, or the like.

   a do-nothing government.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• do-nothings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of do-nothing

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

The plan’s do-nothing nature was never so clearly articulated as when Modica approached the mic at a packed town meeting Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

As much as Forrest is a know-nothing, except when it comes to knowing what love is, he’s also a do-nothing when it comes to acknowledging systemic wrongdoing.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2024

It is the sound of do-nothing summer afternoons in the pre-internet portion of my youth.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2021

If anything, many inheritors are shaking off the stereotype of the do-nothing trust fund kid, said Dennis Jaffe, who consults with wealthy families and has collaborated with Dr. Grubman on research.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2021

Fain�ant, fā-nyang′, adj. and n. do-nothing, applied esp. to the later Merovingian kings of France, mere puppets, under whom the mayors of the Palace really governed the country.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various