lethargy

American  

[leth-er-jee] / ˈlɛθ ər dʒi /

noun

plural

lethargies

1. the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.

2. Pathology. an abnormal state or disorder characterized by overpowering drowsiness or sleep.

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lethargy British  

/ ˈlɛθədʒɪ, lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk /

noun

1. sluggishness, slowness, or dullness

2. an abnormal lack of energy, esp as the result of a disease

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Other Word Forms

• hyperlethargy noun
• lethargic adjective
• lethargically adverb

Etymology

Origin of lethargy

First recorded in 1325–75; from Late Latin lēthargia, from Greek lēthargía, equivalent to lḗtharg(os) “drowsy” + -ia -y ³ ( see Lethe, -algia); replacing Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargīa, from Late Greek, Greek, as above

Explanation

Is your pet slug always this comatose, or is this display of lethargy unusual? The word lethargy describes inactivity or a lack of energy. Lethargy comes from the Greek lethargos, originally meaning “inactive through forgetfulness.” Somewhere along the way, the word lost the implication of “forgetfulness” and just ended up hanging around in bed all day. Still, lethargy doesn’t necessarily imply laziness; it can be brought about by illness and may also describe a lack of strength. Other lethargic nouns include torpor, sluggishness, and languor.

Example Sentences

Symptoms of adder bites in dogs include pain and swelling, bruising, lethargy, drooling and vomiting.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Three days into their holiday in October, Ashley fell ill with symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and extreme lethargy, Irwin Mitchell said.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Pascal Struijk glanced a header narrowly wide from another corner to underline Chelsea's lethargy at the back.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

Like most of the countries where Christianity first took hold, wars and economic lethargy — not to mention a relatively easier path to emigration — have dwindled Lebanon’s Christian population over the decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2025

In the lethargy of her pregnancy, Amaranta Úrsula tried to set up a business in necklaces made out of the backbones of fish.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• apathy
• disinterest
• drowsiness
• inactivity