indolent

American  

[in-dl-uhnt] / ˈɪn dl ənt /

adjective

1. having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful.

   an indolent person.

   Synonyms:

   torpid, sluggish, inactive, slow

2. Pathology. causing little or no pain; inactive or relatively benign.

   an indolent ulcer that is not painful and is slow to heal.

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indolent British  

/ ˈɪndələnt /

adjective

1. disliking work or effort; lazy; idle

2. pathol causing little pain

   an indolent tumour

3. (esp of a painless ulcer) slow to heal

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Related Words

See idle.

Other Word Forms

• indolence noun
• indolently adverb

Etymology

Origin of indolent

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin indolent- (stem of indolēns ), equivalent to in- in- ³ + dolent- (stem of dolēns ), present participle of dolēre “to be painful, be in pain”; dole ², -ent

Example Sentences

But these roles are few and far between, remaining at a distance in favor of indolent stories that only echo the humor of Sandler’s earliest work.

From Salon • Jul. 27, 2025

He did at some point own a Lake Erie steamship, which may have confused those indolent researchers Allen and Rice.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2023

The truce idea was not born of naivete, but of desperation, in a country with over 110,000 disappeared and woefully indolent or over-worked police and forensics examiners.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023

She was a would-be revolutionary, fired by a hatred of corruption and global injustice, who despaired at the indolent passivity of youth.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2022

The marmalade cat prodded him with an indolent paw.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques