lethargic
gb/lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk/ us/lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
tired and lacking energy
Very tired and slow, with little energy.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels/lelooks/is lethargic
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean only 'lazy' or 'not wanting to work'; it often suggests a physical or mental lack of energy (often temporary).
Synonyms
sluggish (Emphasizes slow movement or response.)
|
listless (Emphasizes lack of interest or enthusiasm.)
|
drained (Emphasizes having used up energy.)
Antonyms
energetic (Full of energy and activity.)
|
alert (Quick to notice and respond.)
|
lively (Full of life and enthusiasm.)
Collocations
feel lethargic
|look lethargic
|be lethargic
|a lethargic afternoon
|lethargic after lunch
|lethargic from the heat
|lethargic all day
|lethargic and unfocused
|lethargic mood
|lethargic movements
Themes
health
|daily_life
|emotions
Examples
- I’ve been lethargic all week, even after a full night’s sleep.
- The hot, humid weather made everyone lethargic and quiet.
- After the long flight, she felt too lethargic to go out for dinner.
Learner examples
- Today I feel lethargic.
- He was lethargic after work.
adjective
C1
state
2
unusually sleepy or drowsy
Sleepy and not fully awake, often because you are sick or taking medicine.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is lethargic after [medication/illness]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it for normal sleepiness; it usually suggests an unusual or concerning level of drowsiness.
Synonyms
drowsy (More general; can be mild and normal.)
|
sleepy (Everyday word; often less serious.)
|
groggy (Often used after waking up or anesthesia.)
Antonyms
wide-awake (Fully awake and not sleepy.)
|
alert (Awake and responsive.)
Collocations
lethargic patient
|unusually lethargic
|suddenly lethargic
|lethargic after medication
|lethargic with the flu
|lethargic and drowsy
|lethargic and weak
|become lethargic
|seems lethargic
|increasingly lethargic
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The nurse noted that the child was lethargic and wanted to sleep all the time.
- If you become unusually lethargic after taking this medicine, call your doctor.
- He was lethargic and dizzy because he hadn’t eaten all day.
Learner examples
- The medicine made her lethargic.
- He felt lethargic when he was sick.
adjective
business
C1
property
3
slow and lacking activity
Slow and not active (for example, about business or the economy).
Usage pattern:
a lethargic [economy/market/recovery/sector]
Common mistake:
In this sense it describes low activity or slow progress, not physical tiredness.
Synonyms
sluggish (Very common for slow economic or business activity.)
|
stagnant (Emphasizes little or no change over time.)
|
lackluster (Emphasizes unimpressive performance rather than speed.)
Antonyms
buoyant (Strong and active, especially in markets.)
|
robust (Strong and healthy growth or performance.)
|
brisk (Quick and active pace.)
Collocations
lethargic economy
|lethargic market
|lethargic growth
|lethargic recovery
|lethargic demand
|lethargic sales
|lethargic performance
|lethargic start
|lethargic pace
|lethargic response
Themes
business
|economics
|work
Examples
- Consumer spending stayed lethargic despite lower interest rates.
- After a lethargic first quarter, the company increased hiring.
- Trading was lethargic ahead of the holiday weekend.
Learner examples
- Sales were lethargic this month.
- The market is lethargic today.
adjective
technical
C2
state
4
hard to rouse; minimally responsive
Not responding normally and hard to wake up.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is lethargic and difficult to rouse
Synonyms
unresponsive (Stronger; may suggest no response at all.)
|
obtunded (More technical medical term for reduced alertness.)
Antonyms
responsive (Able to answer and react normally.)
|
fully conscious (Not impaired in awareness.)
Collocations
lethargic and difficult to rouse
|lethargic mental status
|acutely lethargic
|markedly lethargic
|lethargic on exam
|lethargic presentation
|lethargic and confused
|lethargic but arousable
Themes
medicine
|health
Examples
- In the emergency room, he was lethargic and slow to respond to questions.
- The doctor asked whether the baby was feeding poorly or becoming lethargic.
- She was lethargic but could be roused with repeated stimulation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lethargic
IPA
GB/lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk/
US/lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk/
Syllables & stress
leth - ar - gic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ar)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: lethargic
Word family
Core family
lethargy
noun C1
lethargically
adverb C1
Expressions
a lethargic economy
1/ə lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
business
economy with low activity
An economy that is slow and not very active.
Examples
- High borrowing costs can contribute to a lethargic economy.
- The report described a lethargic economy with weak hiring.
- Small businesses struggled during the lethargic economy.
a lethargic pace
1/ə lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk pˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
very slow speed
A very slow speed.
Examples
- Work continued at a lethargic pace during the heatwave.
- The meeting dragged on at a lethargic pace.
- Construction has moved forward at a lethargic pace for months.
a lethargic response
1/ə lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk ɹɪspˈɑns/
fixed phrase
slow or weak reaction
A slow or weak reaction.
Examples
- Customers complained about the company’s lethargic response to refunds.
- The team showed a lethargic response to the new strategy.
- Officials faced criticism for their lethargic response to the early warnings.
feel lethargic
1/fˈil lɪθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
experience very low energy
To feel very tired and slow.
Examples
- I always feel lethargic after a big lunch.
- She started to feel lethargic as the day got hotter.
- If you feel lethargic for days, consider talking to a doctor.