Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic.
- adjective Characterized by a lack of energy or interest.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Indifferent to or taking no interest in what happens about one; languid and unheeding: as, a listless hearer or spectator.
- Marked by languid inactivity; manifesting relaxed attention; inanimate: as, a listless attitude.
- Synonyms Listless, Careless, Supine, Indolent. The listless and the careless do not care or desire; the supine and the indolent do not care enough to conquer their shrinking from activity or work. The words may all indicate a temporary state or a permanent element of character; indolent generally indicates the latter. (See
idle .) Careless is not caring; supine is literally lying flat on one's back, not rousing one's self at all, ignobly indifferent; listless, indifferent and languid. Listless does not necessarily imply blame.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Having no desire or inclination; indifferent; heedless; spiritless.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Lacking
energy ,enthusiasm , orliveliness .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm
- adjective lacking zest or vivacity
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word listless.
Examples
-
After some days spent in listless indolence, during which I traversed many leagues,
Chapter 18 2010
-
After some days spent in listless indolence, during which I traversed many leagues,
Chapter 1 2010
-
But he grew up, I think, with -- I don't want to use the word listless; I'm very careful -- with a sense of following in the family footsteps to some extent, but not in the political vein.
CNN Transcript - Larry King Live: Peter Jennings Discusses 'Family Business' - September 14, 2000 2000
-
Since I arrived not a leaf has stirred, not a bird has sung, the tides ebb and flow in listless and soundless ripples.
The Golden Chersonese and the Way Thither Isabella Lucy 1883
-
She could do nothing for herself, she could only obey Joan's dictates, and this she did in listless misery.
-
Design, were pretty lethargic, a word that means "listless" - and also a word Wiggins might not know how to spell.
-
Design, were pretty lethargic, a word that means "listless" - and also a word Wiggins might not know how to spell.
-
Design, were pretty lethargic, a word that means "listless" - and also a word Wiggins might not know how to spell.
-
A shadow was on the threshold, and before I had recalled my listless fancy, in tripped Frances Sutherland, herself, feigning not to see me.
Lords of the North 1903
-
Hence, in this anarchic foam of tastes and distastes, a kind of listless blur, gradually appears the figure of a bodily enigma, requiring complicity or irritation.
J’aime/Je n’aime pas : Ange Mlinko : Harriet the Blog : The Poetry Foundation 2007
seanahan commented on the word listless
Those of us on Wordie who have or show no interest in making lists.
October 26, 2007
jennarenn commented on the word listless
So true. I always feel like a bit of a parasite, but the comments are so much more fun and low-stress.
October 26, 2007
gangerh commented on the word listless
This word is a fraud. 29 lists prove it.
July 5, 2008