languor

American  

[lang-ger] / ˈlæŋ gər /

noun

1. lack of energy or vitality; sluggishness.

2. lack of spirit or interest; listlessness; stagnation.

3. physical weakness or faintness.

4. emotional softness or tenderness.

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languor British  

/ ˈlæŋɡə /

noun

1. physical or mental laziness or weariness

2. a feeling of dreaminess and relaxation

3. oppressive silence or stillness

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Etymology

Origin of languor

1250–1300; < Latin ( languish, -or ¹ ); replacing Middle English langour sickness, woe < Old French < Latin

Example Sentences

For the first time, I could picture the legendary tropical city of Malayan sampans, Chinese street hawkers and British colonial languor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

The book’s languor can be ponderous and vintage, more 20th century than 21st.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2025

But despite reminding those who mention the Jedi and its protocols that the Order no longer exists, this Ahsoka certainly behaves like one to the point of almost verging into languor.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2023

Gone are the formal banquets of saffron-stained, rose-scented languor — and the protein-bar and light-beer cravings of the American contractors who roamed the secure confines of Kabul’s Green Zone diplomatic enclave.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2023

The bailiff unlocked Richard’s shackles and he stood, moving with a defeated, dreamlike languor.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• inactivity
• tiredness