listless

American

[list-lis] / ˈlɪst lɪs /

adjective

having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent.

a listless mood;
a listless handshake.

listless British

/ ˈlɪstlɪs /

adjective

disinclined for any effort or exertion; lacking vigour, enthusiasm, or energy

"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

Related Words

See indifference.

Other Word Forms

listlessly adverb
listlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of listless

First recorded in 1400–50, listless is from the late Middle English word lystles. See list ⁴, -less

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.

England came into the game on the back of listless losses against Scotland, Ireland and Italy, but were revived, performing with energy and invention that had gone missing for much of their campaign.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The opening ballad, “Risk It All,” is pretty but listless, with Mr. Mars singing over a gently plucked nylon-string guitar until a relaxed syncopated groove folds in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Marcus Rashford added some urgency into Barca's game after a listless start, curling inches wide of the far post after cutting in from the left.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

The Treasury market moved in a listless fashion on Tuesday in response to the U.S. intervention in Venezuela — with traders more focused on a busy calendar week that includes Friday’s jobs report for December.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

It was a slow, listless night—a Tuesday night.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023