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

Participants met to draft individualized, national transition roadmaps away from fossil fuels; using more laid back question and answer information sessions, they made unusual progress.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

I’m a little more laid back even in my rants than Taylor is.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

When you sing laid back like that, like Tony Bennett does, he just says it like he feels it, and he puts it where he feels it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

"I don't really look too much into that, I'm too laid back for it," Price said.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2024

They came back with a deuce on a short jumper and Nick threw the ball all the way downcourt to Frank who had laid back on the last play.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• easygoing
• mellow