lazily
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈeɪzɪli/
US
- /ˈlæzəli/
Description
- slowly
- leisurely
- idly
- without effort
- unhurriedly
Imagine a cat stretching in a patch of sunlight. That is often how things are done lazily. The word describes an action done slowly, with little energy, or without much effort. A river might flow lazily, smoke might lazily curl into the air, or someone might lazily turn the pages of a book in a hammock. Sometimes it feels peaceful and relaxed. Other times, it suggests that a person does not really want to move or work hard. You would not lazily sprint to catch a bus, but you might lazily sip lemonade on a front porch.
The word "lazily" is an adverb that describes how something is done: in a slow, relaxed way, or with little energy and effort. It often suggests that there is no hurry. In some contexts, it simply creates a calm picture. In others, it hints that someone is unwilling to work hard or move quickly.
A dog might lazily wag its tail, not with sharp excitement, but with a slow, easy rhythm. Clouds drift lazily across the sky. A person might lazily watch the world go by from a window, half lost in thought. In examples like these, the word gives a soft, peaceful feeling.
However, "lazily" is not always positive. It can also suggest low effort, weak interest, or a habit of putting things off. If you say, "He lazily completed his chores," it suggests that he did them without much care or energy. In that kind of sentence, the word is closer to "in a lazy way" than to "peacefully."
Think of a quiet Sunday morning, when even small movements feel slow and easy. Then think of someone dragging through a task because they do not want to do it. "Lazily" can cover both pictures. That is why the word is useful: it can describe gentle, unhurried movement, but it can also point to a lack of energy, effort, or interest.
Examples
- 1
Animal resting
The dog lay lazily in the sun.
- 2
Morning routine
She stretched lazily and reached for her coffee.
- 3
Slow movement
A few boats drifted lazily across the lake.
- 4
Low effort
He stirred the soup lazily while he talked on the phone.
- 5
Relaxed leisure
I spent the whole afternoon lazily reading on the sofa.
- 6
Careless analysis
The report lazily blamed the problem on “bad management” without checking the facts.
Pattern
lazily + blame/explain/write
without enough thought or effort
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lazilyadverb