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

But as I dumped fries into a plastic basket, Paquette pointed out an example of optimization even a layabout like me could appreciate.

From Slate • Aug. 11, 2025

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 • Sep. 6, 2024

But oh look, there’s another one, down the middle for 30-15, while our commentary team praise Pegula for having a “minted” dad – he owns the Buffalo Bills – and not being a layabout.

From The Guardian • Jan. 25, 2022

Sir Gawain is a bit of a cad when we first meet him, a drunken layabout who’d rather woo than fight.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2021

"Suppose I do know?" he urged, tightening a little the arm that layabout her.

From The Story of Julia Page by Norris, Kathleen Thompson