laid-back

American  

[leyd-bak] / ˈleɪdˈbæk /

Or laidback

adjective

Slang.

1. relaxed or unhurried.

   laid-back music rhythms.

2. free from stress; easygoing; carefree.

   a laid-back way of living.

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laid-back British  

adjective

1. informal relaxed in style, character, or behaviour; easy-going and unhurried

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Etymology

Origin of laid-back

1905–10, for an earlier sense; 1970–75 for current sense

Explanation

Someone who's laid-back is relaxed and at ease. A laid-back dog owner always stays calm, even when her dog jumps up on the dining room table. The opposite of laid-back is uptight. While a laid-back babysitter pretty much lets his charges do whatever they feel like, an uptight babysitter might make a schedule for doing chores, eating, and a strict bedtime. A laid-back party is often much more fun than a formal, dressy event, since people can wear whatever they're comfortable in and enjoy chatting with each other. Laid-back was coined in the 1970s, possibly from the slouchy posture of motorcycle riders.

Example Sentences

In the 1970s, Leon Russell—a pioneer of the laid-back, bluesy style of music known as the Tulsa Sound—transformed a 1915 church into the Church Studio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Do you want a a mild climate and more laid-back lifestyle?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Despite the threat, during the day the vibe remains laid-back in a city known for the cultivated cool of its hipster atmosphere.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

If you prefer a more laid-back vibe that makes you feel like you’ve been teleported to Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, check out Figaro Bistrot in Los Feliz.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Arnold was very laid-back and had a way of making the incredible sound almost sane, so I felt good about how that scene would most likely play out.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• easygoing
• mellow