English - Hungarian

laziness

gb/lˈeɪzinəs/ us/lˈeɪzinəs/
B1 English
lustaság, lustálkodás
NOUN B1
1
Usage pattern:
laziness (in [doing something]); out of/through laziness
He missed the deadline because of sheer laziness.
Puszta lustaságból nem tartotta be a határidőt.
The teacher said it wasn’t a lack of ability, just laziness.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy nem képességhiányról van szó, csak lustaságról.
I know I should exercise, but laziness often wins after work.
Learner examples
Laziness can cause problems at school.
A lustaság problémákat okozhat az iskolában.
He blamed laziness for his bad grades.
A rossz jegyeiért a lustaságot okolta.
Common mistake:
Do not use laziness to mean being tired or ill; it usually suggests a choice to avoid effort.
Meaning
unwillingness to work or try
Collocations
sheer laziness |pure laziness |out of sheer laziness |because of laziness |due to laziness |laziness and procrastination |chronic laziness |accused of laziness |overcome laziness |a sign of laziness
Synonyms
idleness (focuses on not being busy or active.) | sloth (stronger and more judgmental; often moral/religious tone.) | indolence (more formal; suggests habitual laziness.) | inertia (emphasizes difficulty getting started or changing.)
Antonyms
diligence (careful, persistent effort.) | industriousness (habit of working hard.) | initiative (readiness to act without being told.)
Themes
daily_life |work |personality |motivation
Definition

Not wanting to work or make an effort.

A tendency to avoid work, activity, or effort, especially when effort is needed or expected.

NOUN B2
2
Usage pattern:
a feeling/day/morning of laziness
After a busy week, she loved the laziness of Sunday mornings.
Egy zsúfolt hét után imádta a vasárnap reggeli lustálkodást.
We spent the afternoon in comfortable laziness, reading and napping.
Kényelmes lustálkodással töltöttük a délutánt: olvasgattunk és szunyókáltunk.
There was a pleasant laziness in the air during the long holiday.
Learner examples
On Sunday, I enjoy a little laziness.
Vasárnap szeretek egy kicsit lustálkodni.
After work, I want rest and laziness.
Munka után pihenésre és lustálkodásra vágyom.
Meaning
pleasant time of doing nothing
Collocations
a day of laziness |a morning of laziness |weekend laziness |holiday laziness |a little laziness |sink into laziness |enjoy the laziness |the sweet laziness of summer
Synonyms
lazing (informal; often used with around/about.) | rest (emphasizes recovery and sleep/relaxation.) | downtime (modern; time off from work or activity.)
Antonyms
busyness (having many things to do.) | activity (being physically or mentally active.)
Themes
daily_life |leisure |well_being
Definition

A relaxed time when you do nothing.

A relaxed period of not doing much, enjoyed as rest or leisure.

Grammar
Dictionary form
laziness
IPA
GB/lˈeɪzinəs/
US/lˈeɪzinəs/
Syllables & stress
lazi - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lazi)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: laziness
  • Plural: laziness
Word family
Core family
lazy adjective A2 lazily adverb
Related words
laze verb
Negative and opposite forms
hardworking adjective diligent adjective B2
Expressions

a bout of laziness

1
/ə bˈaʊt əv lˈeɪzinəs/
fixed phrase

temporary period of being lazy

A short time when you feel lazy.

Examples
  • I had a bout of laziness over the holidays and didn’t exercise at all.
  • After the exams, he fell into a bout of laziness.
  • She blamed her bout of laziness on the rainy weather.
Learner examples
  • I had a bout of laziness yesterday.

laziness of mind

1
/lˈeɪzinəs əv mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase

unwillingness to think carefully

Not wanting to think hard or learn.

Examples
  • Repeating slogans instead of checking facts is a kind of laziness of mind.
  • The article criticized the laziness of mind behind the simple answers.
  • He called it laziness of mind, not lack of intelligence.

out of sheer laziness

1
/ˈaʊt əv ʃˈɪɹ lˈeɪzinəs/
fixed phrase

because you were too lazy

Only because you did not want to make an effort.

Examples
  • I ordered takeout out of sheer laziness instead of cooking.
  • He didn’t call her back out of sheer laziness, not because he was busy.
  • She used the old password out of sheer laziness.
Learner examples
  • I didn’t go shopping out of sheer laziness.

sheer laziness

1
/ʃˈɪɹ lˈeɪzinəs/
fixed phrase

nothing but laziness as cause

Only laziness; no other reason.

Examples
  • Leaving the dishes for days was sheer laziness on his part.
  • It wasn’t a mistake—just sheer laziness.
  • The mess in the garage came from sheer laziness.
Learner examples
  • It was sheer laziness.

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