Word: languid (adjective)

Associations

"Languid" describes something slow, relaxed, or weak, often showing little energy or effort.

• She gave a languid smile after a long day. (Shows a slow, gentle smile without much energy.)
• The heat made everyone feel languid and tired. (People feel weak and without energy because of the heat.)
• His movements were languid, like he was very relaxed or tired. (Slow and without strength.) A synonym is "lethargic," but "lethargic" usually means very tired or sleepy, while "languid" can also mean graceful or calm, not just tired.

Substitution

You can replace "languid" with:

• slow (less poetic, just means not fast)
• relaxed (focuses on calmness, not weakness)
• weak (focuses on lack of strength)
• lethargic (focuses on tiredness) Each word changes the feeling slightly: "languid" often has a gentle, soft feeling, not just weakness.

Deconstruction

"Languid" comes from Latin "languidus," from "languere," meaning "to be weak or faint."

• Root: "langu-" means weak or tired.
• Suffix: "-id" is common in adjectives. It originally described weakness or faintness but now also means slow or relaxed.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt languid? What made you feel that way?
• How would you describe a languid river or a languid dance?
• Do you think "languid" has a positive or negative feeling? Why?