languid
gb/lˈæŋɡwəd/ us/lˈæŋɡwəd/
C1
English
~ 8100
bágyadt, álmatag, ráérős, erőtlen
C1
LITERARY
1
bágyadt
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is languid / a languid [movement/gesture/voice]
She gave a languid wave of her hand and turned back to the window.
Bágyadt kézmozdulattal intett, majd visszafordult az ablakhoz.
His languid voice made it sound as if nothing could truly excite him.
Bágyadt hangja azt sugallta, mintha semmi sem tudná igazán felvillanyozni.
The dancers moved in slow, languid circles across the stage.
He walked with a languid stride, as though he had all the time in the world.
The cat stretched in one languid motion before settling back to sleep.
Learner examples
He spoke in a slow, languid voice.
Lassan, bágyadt hangon beszélt.
The boy made a languid move to stand up.
A fiú bágyadtan mozdult, hogy felálljon.
The dancers’ steps were soft and languid.
She raised her arm in a languid wave.
After lunch, his walk became slow and languid.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "languid" with "liquid" because they look similar; however, "languid" is about low energy or slow movement, not about water. Learners may also think it is common in everyday speech; in fact, it is used more in written descriptions and stories.
Meaning
lacking energy; slow and listless
Collocations
languid movements
|languid gesture
|languid voice
|languid manner
|feel languid
|languid reply
Synonyms
sluggish (Suggests slow movement or action, often more physical and less literary than "languid".)
Antonyms
energetic (Describes someone full of energy and lively action, the opposite of a languid manner.)
Themes
emotions
|body
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Moving or acting slowly and without energy, as if tired or bored.
Moving, acting, or behaving slowly and without much energy, as if tired or uninterested.
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
a languid [afternoon/scene/smile/melody]
They spent a languid afternoon reading by the lake.
A tóparton olvasgatva töltöttek egy álmatag délutánt.
A languid smile spread across her face as the sun warmed her skin.
Álmatag mosoly terült szét az arcán, ahogy a nap melegítette a bőrét.
The jazz band played a languid tune that made everyone relax in their chairs.
The film opens with a languid shot of the city at dawn.
We enjoyed the languid pace of life in the coastal village.
Learner examples
We had a long, languid lunch in the garden.
Hosszú, ráérős ebédünk volt a kertben.
He gave her a slow, languid smile.
Lassan, álmatag mosolyt villantott rá.
The town has a quiet, languid feel in winter.
Soft music made the evening feel calm and languid.
On holiday, their days were slow and languid.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "languid" always has a negative meaning of laziness. In this sense, it can be positive or neutral, describing peaceful, relaxed times or moods. Do not use it for strong, active fun, like a "languid party"; that sounds strange in English.
Meaning
pleasantly relaxed and unhurried
Collocations
languid afternoon
|languid summer day
|languid smile
|languid atmosphere
|languid river
|languid melody
Synonyms
leisurely (Emphasizes an unhurried pace; "languid" adds a more dreamy, often sensual or atmospheric feeling.)
Antonyms
bustling (Describes a place or time full of busy, energetic activity, the opposite of a languid atmosphere.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|emotions
|nature
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Slow, quiet, and relaxed in a pleasant way, with no hurry or strong activity.
Calmly slow and relaxed in a way that suggests ease, comfort, or dreamy enjoyment rather than tiredness.
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels languid from [illness/heat/exertion]
After a week in bed with the flu, she was still too languid to stand for long.
Egyheti influenzás ágyban fekvés után még mindig túl erőtlen volt ahhoz, hogy sokáig álljon.
The patient’s movements were languid with exhaustion after the long operation.
A hosszú műtét után a beteg mozdulatai a kimerültségtől erőtlenek voltak.
He lay there, languid from fever, barely able to lift his head.
The heat left them languid and unable to work.
Even a short walk made him feel languid and out of breath.
Learner examples
After the fever, she felt languid and weak.
A láz után bágyadtnak és gyengének érezte magát.
He was too languid to get out of bed.
Túl erőtlen volt ahhoz, hogy kikeljen az ágyból.
The hot sun made the workers feel languid.
When I am sick, my body is languid.
She walked in a languid way because she was very tired.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this word in medical contexts where native speakers would simply say "weak" or "tired". "Languid" is more formal or literary and is often used in descriptions, not in everyday medical talk.
Meaning
physically weak from illness or fatigue
Collocations
languid from illness
|languid with fever
|languid and pale
|languid with exhaustion
Synonyms
feeble (Focuses directly on physical weakness; "languid" can sound more descriptive or refined.)
Antonyms
robust (Describes strong, healthy physical condition, the opposite of being languid from illness.)
Themes
health
|body
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling very weak and without strength, often because you are sick or very tired.
Physically weak and lacking strength, especially as a result of illness, heat, or great tiredness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
languid
IPA
GB/lˈæŋɡwəd/
US/lˈæŋɡwəd/
Syllables & stress
lan - guid (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lan)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: languid
Word family
Core family
languidly
adverb
languor
noun
Related words
languish
verb
languorous
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.