lackadaisical

[lak-uh-dey-zi-kuhl]

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adjective

without interest, vigor, or determination; listless; lethargic: a lackadaisical attempt.

lazy; indolent: a lackadaisical fellow.

Origin of lackadaisical

1760–70; lackadais(y) (variant of lackaday) + -ical

Related formslack·a·dai·si·cal·ly, adverblack·a·dai·si·cal·ness, noun

Synonyms for lackadaisical

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lackadaisical ON THESAURUS.COM

2. slothful, unambitious, idle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for lackadaisically

indifferently, carelessly, coolly, informally, offhandedly, reservedly

Examples from the Web for lackadaisically

Historical Examples of lackadaisically

But everything had not gone well, and he found it very difficult to carry himself otherwise than lackadaisically.
The Small House at Allington
Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for lackadaisically

lackadaisical

adjective

lacking vitality and purpose

lazy or idle, esp in a dreamy way

Derived Formslackadaisically, adverblackadaisicalness, noun

Word Origin for lackadaisical

C18: from earlier lackadaisy, extended form of lackaday

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lackadaisically

lackadaisical

adj.

1768 (Sterne), from interjection lackadaisy "alas, alack" (1748), an alteration of lack-a-day (1690s), from alack the day (1590s). Hence, "given to crying 'lack-a-day,' vapidly sentimental." Sense probably altered by influence of lax. Related: Lackadaisically.