noun
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lethargy
LEHTH-uh-jee
Lethargy (noun) means a lack of energy and enthusiasm; sluggishness or drowsiness. Example: “A poor diet can lead to lethargy and poor concentration.”
noun
1
A lack of energy and enthusiasm; sluggishness or drowsiness.
"A poor diet can lead to lethargy and poor concentration."
"The whole office seemed to slip into lethargy after lunch."
"The increase in mining stocks helped the FTSE 100 shake off some earlier lethargy and close 9.8 points higher at 6270.8, despite the disappointment of unchanged UK interest rates."
— Nick Fletcher, Lethargic FTSE lifted by hopes of mining move (2008)
"Yakovlev, one of the architects of the reforms put in place by Mikhail Gorbachev, says he too is "amazed" at the government's lethargy."
— Bruce W. Nelan, Crime and Punishment (1995)
How to use lethargy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA state of low energy, tiredness, or sluggishness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a state of lethargy
overcome lethargy
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Word forms
- Plural
- lethargies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A poor diet can lead to _____ and poor concentration.
Etymology
From Greek lethargia, "drowsiness," from lethargos, "forgetful, drowsy."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “lethargy” mean?
The word “lethargy” means a lack of energy and enthusiasm; sluggishness or drowsiness. In plain terms, a state of low energy, tiredness, or sluggishness.
How do you pronounce “lethargy”?
“Lethargy” is pronounced LEHTH-uh-jee (/ˈlɛθ.ə(ɹ).d͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “lethargy” in a sentence?
Here is “lethargy” used in a sentence: “A poor diet can lead to lethargy and poor concentration.”
What part of speech is “lethargy”?
“Lethargy” is a noun.
Where does the word “lethargy” come from?
The word “lethargy” comes from Greek. From Greek lethargia, "drowsiness," from lethargos, "forgetful, drowsy.".
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