Languid
/ˈlæŋɡwɪd/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Languid means moving or acting slowly and without much energy. It can describe a person who looks tired or weak, or a situation that feels calm but a bit lazy or quiet. It often suggests a peaceful but low-energy mood.
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See It in Action
Describing slow, weak, or relaxed movement or behavior
- •She walked with a languid step after the long hike.
- •His voice was soft and languid, showing he was very tired.
- •The cat stretched out in a languid way on the warm floor.
Describing a calm, quiet, and low-energy atmosphere or mood
- •The afternoon was hot and languid, making everyone feel sleepy.
- •There was a languid feeling in the room after the exciting event ended.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "languid" like "slow" or "tired," but with a soft, gentle feeling—not just slow, but weak or relaxed
- ✓Picture someone lying in a warm sunbeam, moving very slowly and softly, almost like they have no energy
- ✓It's the feeling when you are very relaxed after a long day, and you don’t want to do much
- ✓Sounds like "LANG-wid" → imagine a long, soft sigh that stretches out slowly
- ✓Imagine a lazy summer afternoon where everything feels quiet and slow, not rushed or busy
- ✓NOT like "fast" or "active"—languid is slow and low-energy
- ✓NOT like "sleepy" (which means ready to sleep), languid means weak or slow but awake
- ✓NOT like "lazy" (which means not wanting to work), languid can be natural tiredness or calmness, not a choice
Try Other Words
- •Lethargic: very tired and slow (Use when the person feels weak and sleepy, more about low energy)
- •Listless: without energy or interest (Use when someone looks tired and not interested)
- •Relaxed: calm and free from stress (Use when the slow movement is because of calmness, not weakness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; "languid" comes from Latin root
- •Etymology: From Latin "languidus," meaning weak or faint
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English to describe weakness or slow movement
- •Modern usage: Used to describe slow, soft, or weak movement or mood, often in writing or speech to create a calm or tired feeling
- •Key insight: Not just slow, but slow because of low energy or weakness
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt languid? Was it because you were tired, relaxed, or something else?
•How can the word languid help you describe moods or scenes in stories or conversations?
Fill in the blanks
1.After running all day, she moved with a languid ___ that showed her tiredness.
2.The summer heat made the town feel ___ and quiet, with little activity.
3.Unlike energetic or fast, languid describes a ___ and soft way of moving.
4.He spoke in a languid tone, which made it clear he was ___ or uninterested.
5.The cat’s languid stretch was a sign it felt ___ and comfortable.
6.People often feel languid when they are very hot or ___.
7.A languid afternoon usually means the day is ___ and calm, not busy or loud.