Lethargic
/ləˈθɑrdʒɪk/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Lethargic describes a state when a person or animal feels very sleepy, weak, or slow. It is more than just being a little tired; it means lacking energy and motivation to do normal activities. People often feel lethargic when they are sick, very tired, or sad.
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See It in Action
Feeling very tired and slow in movement or thought
- •After the long flight, I felt lethargic and just wanted to sleep.
- •The patient was lethargic and could not concentrate on anything.
- •Children can feel lethargic when they have a fever.
Showing little energy or enthusiasm
- •The team played lethargic in the second half and lost the game.
- •He gave a lethargic response to the exciting news.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "lethargic" like "tired" but much stronger—like when you want to rest and do nothing at all.
- ✓Picture a cat lying all day without moving, looking very slow and sleepy.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to stay in bed all day and do not want to talk or play.
- ✓Sounds like "leth-AR-jic" → imagine someone saying "let's rest" but very slowly and quietly because they have no energy.
- ✓Think of a story where a character feels so weak after being sick that they can barely stand.
- ✓NOT like "awake" (full of energy and alert) — lethargic means very slow and almost without energy.
- ✓NOT like "lazy" (choosing not to work) — lethargic is usually because of tiredness or illness, not choice.
- ✓NOT like "active" (moving a lot) — lethargic is the opposite, very slow or inactive.
Try Other Words
- •Sluggish: slow and without energy (Use when describing slow physical or mental movement)
- •Exhausted: extremely tired (Use when tiredness is very strong, often after hard work)
- •Listless: without energy or interest (Use when someone shows no enthusiasm or spirit)
- •Inactive: not moving or working (Use when describing lack of physical activity)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "letharg-" (from Greek "lēthargos" meaning forgetful, inactive) + "-ic" (adjective suffix meaning "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From Greek, originally meaning forgetful or inactive, now used for slow, tired feelings
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe drowsiness or lack of energy
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people or animals who feel very slow, tired, or weak because of illness or tiredness
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt lethargic, and what helped you feel better?
•How can you tell the difference between being lethargic and simply wanting to rest after a busy day?
Fill in the blanks
1.After staying up all night, she felt lethargic and could not ___ any work done.
2.Feeling lethargic often happens when your body is fighting an ___ or illness.
3.Unlike being lazy, lethargic means your body or mind is too ___ to move or think quickly.
4.The coach noticed the players looked lethargic ___ the second half of the game.
5.People who feel lethargic usually want to ___ and avoid physical activity.
6.If someone is lethargic, they might speak or move very ___ and slowly.
7.The medicine helped reduce the feeling of lethargic ___ and gave her more energy.