fainéant

American  

[fey-nee-uhnt, fe-ney-ahn] / ˈfeɪ ni ənt, fɛ neɪˈɑ̃ /

adjective

1. Also faineant idle; indolent.

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noun

plural

fainéants

1. an idler.

fainéant British  

/ ˈfeɪnɪənt, fɛneɑ̃ /

noun

1. a lazy person; idler

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adjective

1. indolent

Other Word Forms

• faineance noun

Etymology

Origin of fainéant

First recorded in 1610–20; from French, earlier fait-nient, literally, “he does nothing,” folk etymology of Old French faignant “idler,” noun use of present participle of se faindre “to shirk ”; see feign, faint

Example Sentences

To be a fainéant ruler was in direct antagonism both to his conscience and his predilections.

From The Prime Minister by Trollope, Anthony

For George III. was by no means inclined to be a Roi fainéant.

From The Constitutional History of England from 1760 to 1860 by Yonge, Charles Duke

The lord no doubt was a fool, and filled the most foolish place in the world,—that of a silly fainéant earl.

From The Landleaguers by Trollope, Anthony

The best answer can be found in the story of the Colony, for the General Assembly, at all events, has never been a fainéant ruler.

From The Long White Cloud by Reeves, William Pember

"Indeed, yes;—or you will be known to all posterity as the fainéant government."

From Phineas Finn The Irish Member by Trollope, Anthony