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Synonyms

languorous

American  
[lang-ger-uhs] / ˈlæŋ gər əs /

adjective

  1. characterized by languor; languid.

  2. inducing languor.

    languorous fragrance.


languorous British  
/ ˈlæŋɡərəs /

adjective

  1. characterized by or producing languor

  2. another word for languid

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of languorous

First recorded in 1480–90; languor + -ous

Explanation

To be languorous is to be dreamy, lackadaisical, and languid. When someone is languorous, she’s lying around, daydreaming, possibly fanning herself lazily. It’s a little self-indulgent. Languorous refers to a certain kind of mood everyone gets in sometimes — when you'd rather lie around thinking than doing work or having fun. When you're languorous, you're tired and maybe a little depressed. Things can be languorous, too — like a hot, languorous summer afternoon or a languorous song that’s slow and mournful. If you've ever lounged in bed for an hour after you were supposed to get up, you’re familiar with feeling languorous.

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Vocabulary lists containing languorous

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.

Mr. Miller, a writer of great narrative authority, specializes in historical thrillers that move at a languorous pace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

It was an emotional performance, with Balsom producing a beautifully rounded tone during the slower, languorous movements before switching into high gear for the dazzling pyrotechnics of the closing Rondo.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

Cooked, it mellows into some like a sautéed onion: soft, loose, languorous, curling in on itself as its flavor deepens.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2025

It was during one such languorous afternoon that, according to Wilkinson, “Joan first encountered the love of her life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

His swiftly moving figure was in strange contrast to the languorous slow motion of his hands just a few minutes before.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

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