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listless

[list-lis]
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adjective
  1. having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent: a listless mood; a listless handshake.
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Origin of listless

First recorded in 1400–50, listless is from the late Middle English word lystles. See list4, -less
Related formslist·less·ly, adverblist·less·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

inactivitylethargydisinterestlazinesslanguorindifferencepassivity

Examples from the Web for listlessness

Historical Examples

  • But now of a sudden Sir Oliver's listlessness was all dispelled.

    The Sea-Hawk

    Raphael Sabatini

  • "Gafferson," Thorpe repeated, very slowly, and with almost an effect of listlessness.

    The Market-Place

    Harold Frederic

  • There was a good deal of excitement, alternated with listlessness.

    David Elginbrod

    George MacDonald

  • The man who has a habit of dawdling or listlessness will show it in everything he does.

    How to Succeed

    Orison Swett Marden

  • There was courage in that, I saw, for all the listlessness of the tone in which it had been uttered.

    The Prairie Mother

    Arthur Stringer

British Dictionary definitions for listlessness

listless

adjective
  1. disinclined for any effort or exertion; lacking vigour, enthusiasm, or energy
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Derived Formslistlessly, adverblistlessness, noun

Word Origin

C15: from list desire + -less
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

Word Origin and History for listlessness

listless

adj.

mid-15c., from Middle English liste "pleasure, joy, delight" (see list (v.4)) + -less. Related: Listlessly; listlessness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper