adj
C1
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lethargic
luh-THAH-jihk
Lethargic (adj) means lacking energy or enthusiasm; sluggish and drowsy. Example: “The heat made everyone feel lethargic by mid-afternoon.”
adj
1
Lacking energy or enthusiasm; sluggish and drowsy.
"The heat made everyone feel lethargic by mid-afternoon."
"He'd been feeling lethargic all week and finally saw a doctor."
How to use lethargic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTired, sluggish, and without much energy or drive.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
feel lethargic
lethargic and tired
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lethargic
- Superlative
- most lethargic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The heat made everyone feel _____ by mid-afternoon.
Etymology
From Greek lethargikos, from lethargos, "forgetful, drowsy" — built from lethe, "forgetfulness," plus argos, "idle, inactive."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “lethargic” mean?
The word “lethargic” means lacking energy or enthusiasm; sluggish and drowsy. In plain terms, tired, sluggish, and without much energy or drive.
How do you pronounce “lethargic”?
“Lethargic” is pronounced luh-THAH-jihk (/ləˈθɑɹd͡ʒɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lethargic” in a sentence?
Here is “lethargic” used in a sentence: “The heat made everyone feel lethargic by mid-afternoon.”
What part of speech is “lethargic”?
“Lethargic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lethargic” come from?
The word “lethargic” comes from Greek. From Greek lethargikos, from lethargos, "forgetful, drowsy" — built from lethe, "forgetfulness," plus argos, "idle, inactive.".
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