- Today's Word
Lackadaisical
[lak-uh-DAY-zi-kuhl]
Definition
- (adjective) Someone who is lazy, listless, or lacking enthusiasm. It often refers to a person who shows little effort or care in their actions or attitude, appearing indifferent or uninterested.
Example
The teacher grew frustrated with the student’s lackadaisical approach to his studies, as he rarely completed assignments and showed little interest in improving his grades.
Fun Fact
The word “lackadaisical” is believed to have originated in the late 18th century as an alteration of the expression “alack the day,” which was used to express regret or dismay. Over time, it evolved to describe a person who seemed to always be saying “alack the day” in a languid or careless manner, eventually leading to its current meaning of laziness or lack of enthusiasm.
(verb/noun) Painful or laborious effort; hard and exhausting work.
After months of travail, the research team finally achieved a breakthrough in their experiments.
Middle English: from Old French “travail,” from “travailler” meaning “to toil,” ultimately from Latin “trepalium,” a torture instrument made of three stakes.