layabout

American  

[ley-uh-bout] / ˈleɪ əˌbaʊt /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a lazy or idle person; loafer.

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layabout British  

/ ˈleɪəˌbaʊt /

noun

1. a lazy person; loafer

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verb

1. old-fashioned (preposition, usually intr or reflexive) to hit out with violent and repeated blows in all directions

Etymology

Origin of layabout

1930–35; noun use of verb phrase lay about, nonstandard variant of lie about

Example Sentences

At the center of this story is a gainfully employed layabout, an unnamed, possibly mythical “friend of a friend.”

From Salon

These layabouts “left their drinks everywhere,” ruining his parents’ wood furniture.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s one thing to cheer the firing of federal employees if you consider them a bunch of slothful layabouts.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Rod told Walker he had "propelled the careers of a bunch of unknown layabouts to the top of the charts, and overnight fame and everything that goes with it".

From BBC

Katie sees Rachel as little more than a useless layabout waiting to claim the apartment, even though Rachel had been the live-in caregiver before things turned.

From Los Angeles Times