indolence
gb/ɪndoʊləns/ us/ɪndoʊləns/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
habitual laziness; avoidance of work
laziness, especially when you should be working
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s indolence; indolence in [something]
Common mistake:
Often confused with 'insolence' (rude behavior); 'indolence' means laziness.
Synonyms
laziness (More common and neutral in everyday speech.)
|
idleness (Emphasizes doing nothing rather than avoiding effort.)
|
sloth (More moralizing; often linked to a 'sin' idea.)
Antonyms
diligence (Careful, steady effort and attention to work.)
|
industriousness (Habit of working hard and being productive.)
Collocations
sheer indolence
|habitual indolence
|chronic indolence
|a life of indolence
|sink into indolence
|accuse [someone] of indolence
|indolence and apathy
|indolence at work
|indolence in youth
|reward indolence
Themes
daily_life
|work
|personality
|behavior
Examples
- His grades suffered because of indolence, not lack of ability.
- She blamed her unfinished project on pure indolence.
- The manager warned that indolence would not be tolerated in the team.
Learner examples
- Indolence can make it hard to finish tasks.
- He lost his job because of indolence.
Noun
technical
C2
state
2
sluggishness; lack of activity
being slow and not active
Usage pattern:
indolence of [a process/body function]; indolence in [a system/sector]
Common mistake:
This sense is not the same as 'lethargy' from illness, though they can overlap in meaning.
Synonyms
sluggishness (Focuses on slow movement or response.)
|
inertia (Emphasizes resistance to change or action.)
|
lethargy (Often suggests low energy, sometimes due to illness.)
Antonyms
activity (General state of being active and engaged.)
|
vigor (Strong energy and force, especially in action.)
Collocations
vascular indolence
|metabolic indolence
|economic indolence
|institutional indolence
|policy indolence
|a period of indolence
Themes
health
|science
|economy
Examples
- Analysts criticized the indolence of the bureaucracy during the crisis.
- The report linked the city's economic indolence to a lack of investment.
- Doctors noted an indolence in his recovery that required closer monitoring.
Learner examples
- The economy showed indolence for months.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indolence
IPA
GB/ɪndoʊləns/
US/ɪndoʊləns/
Syllables & stress
in - dol - ence (3 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: indolence
- Plural: indolence
Word family
Core family
indolent
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
indolently
adverb C1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.