indolent
Americanadjective
-
disliking work or effort; lazy; idle
-
pathol causing little pain
an indolent tumour
-
(esp of a painless ulcer) slow to heal
Related Words
See idle.
Other Word Forms
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”; see dole 2, -ent
Explanation
Indolent is an adjective meaning slow or lazy. It can take an indolent teenager hours to get out of bed on a weekend morning. Often it's noon before he finally comes shuffling down to breakfast in his pajamas. An indolent person is slow and lazy — not the type of person you'd want running your corporation or competing with you in a relay race. Doctors use the word indolent to describe medical conditions that are slow to progress. If you're diagnosed with an illness, you'd prefer an indolent one over one that spreads quickly.
Vocabulary lists containing indolent
Advanced English Words
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The Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer
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Grade 11, List 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indolent and adventuresome, he embarked upon a career that in its early phase looked even more hapless and disastrous than those of his illustrious forebears.
From Salon • Jul. 31, 2011
"Indolent" ulcers and "weeping" skin diseases were treated with a paste of chlorophyll and lanolin.
From Time Magazine Archive
Indolent Harvey Raynor, 25 and usually horizontal, was willing to work, but only on his own unambitious terms.
From Time Magazine Archive
Indolent, jovial, fat, he has been described as a "hansom cabful"; and the story runs that one day in a tram he rose, offered his seat to three women.
From Time Magazine Archive
Indolent, dreamy, ready For anything to amuse, Shyfoot out for a ramble In his oldest hat and shoes.
From More Songs From Vagabondia by Carman, Bliss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
