indolence

Indolence is a noun that means laziness, idleness, or a tendency to avoid effort. It usually describes a settled habit rather than a brief moment of rest. Someone can feel tired, need a break, or spend a quiet day doing nothing without being indolent. The word is usually used when the lack of action feels excessive, habitual, or blameworthy.

The word often carries a negative tone. If you call a student indolent, you mean the student is not applying themselves. If you speak of indolent habits, you mean patterns of avoiding work, movement, or responsibility. It can describe a person, a mood, or sometimes a wider atmosphere of inactivity. In writing, it may suggest a love of ease, but the central idea is still a failure to act when action is needed.

You might say someone sank into indolence after weeks of putting off chores, ignoring deadlines, and choosing comfort over effort. You could also say indolence weakened a team or household if people stopped taking initiative and let necessary work slide. The word is common in thoughtful or literary English because it sounds more reflective and lasting than simply saying "laziness."

Compared with words like "lazy," indolence can sound a little more formal and can suggest a lasting pattern of idle behavior. It does not have to mean open enjoyment of doing nothing, and it does not always imply a grand or philosophical attitude. Most of the time, it simply points to a noticeable lack of energy, effort, or willingness to work.