lethargy
gb/lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/ us/lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
state
1
extreme tiredness and low energy
A strong feeling of being very tired and having no energy.
Usage pattern:
lethargy in [someone]; a feeling of lethargy; suffer from lethargy
Common mistake:
Learners often use *lethargy* like an adjective (incorrect: “I am lethargy”); use *lethargic* or say “I feel lethargy / I feel lethargic.”
Synonyms
fatigue (Often suggests physical or mental tiredness from effort; can be more neutral/medical.)
|
sluggishness (Emphasizes slow movement or low energy rather than sleepiness.)
|
weariness (More literary; suggests being tired over time.)
Antonyms
energy (The ability and readiness to be active.)
|
vitality (Strong, healthy energy and liveliness.)
|
alertness (Being awake and attentive rather than sleepy.)
Collocations
a feeling of lethargy
|a sense of lethargy
|overcome with lethargy
|morning lethargy
|persistent lethargy
|unexplained lethargy
|sudden lethargy
|lethargy and fatigue
|combat lethargy
|cause lethargy
Themes
health
|daily_life
|body_and_mind
Examples
- After the long flight, a heavy lethargy settled over her and she went straight to bed.
- He blamed his midweek lethargy on too little sleep and too much screen time.
- If the lethargy lasts more than a few days, it’s worth talking to a doctor.
Learner examples
- I feel lethargy today because I didn’t sleep well.
- A short walk can help with lethargy.
Noun
formal
C1
state
2
lack of activity or progress
A situation where people or things are not active and nothing changes much.
Usage pattern:
lethargy in [an organization/market]; fall into lethargy; political/economic lethargy
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with *apathy*: apathy is lack of interest; lethargy emphasizes low energy or slow action.
Synonyms
inertia (Stresses failure to change or move forward, often despite pressure.)
|
stagnation (Focuses on lack of growth or development over time.)
|
sluggishness (Suggests slow speed or weak activity, often in markets or processes.)
Antonyms
momentum (A building force of progress and activity.)
|
dynamism (Energetic change and initiative.)
|
activity (General busyness and movement.)
Collocations
economic lethargy
|political lethargy
|institutional lethargy
|bureaucratic lethargy
|market lethargy
|break out of lethargy
|shake off lethargy
|a period of lethargy
|widespread lethargy
|post-crisis lethargy
Themes
business
|society
|work
Examples
- The new manager was hired to shake the team out of its lethargy.
- After months of lethargy, sales finally began to pick up.
- Voter turnout reflected a broader political lethargy in the city.
Learner examples
- The project fell into lethargy and stopped moving forward.
- New ideas helped the company escape its lethargy.
Noun
technical
C2
state
3
abnormally sleepy, slow responsiveness
In medical use, being unusually sleepy and slow to react.
Usage pattern:
lethargy as a symptom of [illness]; medication-induced lethargy
Common mistake:
In everyday English it can just mean “low energy”; in medical contexts it implies abnormal sleepiness and reduced responsiveness.
Synonyms
drowsiness (Sleepiness; often milder and more common in non-clinical speech.)
|
somnolence (More technical term for sleepiness.)
Antonyms
responsiveness (Ability to react quickly and appropriately.)
|
wakefulness (The state of being fully awake.)
Collocations
marked lethargy
|extreme lethargy
|mental lethargy
|lethargy and confusion
|lethargy and drowsiness
|symptoms include lethargy
|lethargy following infection
|medication-induced lethargy
|present with lethargy
|lethargy in children
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The clinician noted lethargy and slow responses during the examination.
- Call a doctor if a child has a fever with unusual lethargy.
- Some antihistamines can cause lethargy, especially at higher doses.
Learner examples
- The medicine caused lethargy.
- The doctor asked about lethargy and other symptoms.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lethargy
IPA
GB/lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
US/lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
Syllables & stress
leth - argy (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (leth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lethargy
- Plural: lethargies, lethargy
Word family
Expressions
a bout of lethargy
1/ə bˈaʊt əv lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
a short period of low energy
A short time when you feel very tired.
Examples
- I had a bout of lethargy last week, but it passed after a few days.
- After the flu, he experienced a bout of lethargy and stayed home to rest.
afternoon lethargy
1/ˌæftɚnˈun lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
tiredness in the afternoon
Feeling tired in the afternoon.
Examples
- Coffee helps, but it doesn’t completely fix my afternoon lethargy.
- The meeting was scheduled for the morning to avoid afternoon lethargy.
economic lethargy
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
business
slow, weak economic activity
A time when the economy is weak and slow.
Examples
- The central bank cut rates to counter economic lethargy.
- Small businesses struggled during a period of economic lethargy.
post-lunch lethargy
1/pˈoʊst lˈʌnt͡ʃ lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
sleepiness after eating lunch
Feeling sleepy after lunch.
Examples
- I switched to a lighter meal to avoid post-lunch lethargy.
- A short walk helps me beat post-lunch lethargy at work.
winter lethargy
1/wˈɪntɚ lˈɛθɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
low energy in winter
Feeling low energy in winter.
Examples
- She uses a light lamp to help with winter lethargy.
- Regular exercise can reduce winter lethargy.