What Is the Difference Between languid and languorous?
The letter L holds claim to a payload of words in English that connote a lack of energy or enthusiasm. Two of them—languid and languorous—derive from the same source, the Latin verb languēre ("to languish"). Languid describes the kind of sluggishness that one often experiences from fatigue or weakness ("the illness left her feeling languid"). Languorous applies more to someone who just doesn't feel the will to get up and do anything ("he felt languorous on a rainy Sunday afternoon"). There is also lackadaisical, which implies a halfhearted effort given from lack of care ("lackadaisical seniors just floating along until graduation"), as well as listless, which suggests a lack of spirit caused by physical weakness, dissatisfaction, or sadness ("she was listless for a few weeks following the breakup").
languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.
was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery
languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.
languorous cats lying in the sun
lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.
lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study
listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.
listless hospital patients
listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day
spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.
a spiritless recital of the poem
Example Sentences
They proceeded at a languid pace. It was a hot, languid summer day.
Recent Examples on the WebWhere Porset’s design was all languid curves, the Sartorii responds with angular geometries: two intersecting planes of oiled or varnished walnut topped by a flat, leather cushion.Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 The Lyriq feels at its best in Touring Mode with everything set to its most relaxed and languid. Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 28 June 2022 Critics say the central bank's languid approach allowed inflation to fester. Lucy Bayly, CNN, 11 July 2022 On Sometimes, Forever, every languid lyric and opaque melody feels strategically placed with care and concern. Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2022 Anyone can craft a carefree summer party anthem, but it’s a far tougher task to harness all of the breezy, languid textures of the warmer months in service of melancholy, introspection and doubt. Andrew Barker, Variety, 24 June 2022 Its leisurely, languid locomotion helps the robot avoid suspicion and fulfill its mission, deputy editor Courtney Linder wrote in May 2021. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 24 June 2022 Lamenting his inability to spend more time with his lover, as well as wishing for the means to stop time in its tracks, Cuco delivers the wistful, sentimental lyrics in a languid manner indicative of his humanly limitations. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 31 May 2022 The suspense, however, is dissipated by languid pacing, repetitive shots of figures in the landscape and heavily pregnant pauses. Joe Leydon, Variety, 12 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle French languide, from Latin languidus, from languēre to languish — more at slack