lackadaisical
8 synonyms and 4 antonyms for lackadaisical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lacking energy, care, or determination; doing something in a half-hearted and casually careless way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use lackadaisical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lackadaisical approach
lackadaisical attitude
lackadaisical effort
lackadaisical performance
Neutral in register but always critical in force. Common in sports reporting and workplace feedback.
Etymology
From lackadaisy, a playful alteration of the old exclamation of regret alack the day, plus the ending -ical.
Full origin of lackadaisical →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between lackadaisical and lazy?
Lazy means unwilling to work at all. Lackadaisical means going through the motions without commitment — the person turns up and does the task, but with no energy or care. It criticises the manner rather than the willingness.
Is lackadaisical the same as laid-back?
No. Laid-back is complimentary or neutral and describes a relaxed temperament. Lackadaisical is a complaint, implying that the relaxed manner is inappropriate to what the situation demanded.
Does lackadaisical come from the word lack?
No, despite appearances. It grew out of the old exclamation "alack the day", an expression of woe, which became lackadaisy and then lackadaisical. The resemblance to lack is coincidental.
