Listless
/ˈlɪstləs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Listless describes a state where someone feels weak, tired, or without energy and motivation. A listless person may seem slow, quiet, or uninterested in activities around them. It often happens when someone is sick, sad, or bored.
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See It in Action
Feeling weak and without energy
- •After the long run, she felt listless and could barely stand.
- •The patient was listless because of the fever.
- •He looked listless during the boring meeting.
Showing no interest or enthusiasm
- •The students were listless on the last day of school.
- •His listless attitude made it hard to finish the project.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "listless" like "tired," but stronger—it means no energy and no desire to move or do anything
- ✓Picture a person sitting quietly with droopy eyes and slow movements, like they have no strength inside
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to rest all day and do nothing because you feel weak or sad
- ✓Sounds like "LIST-less" → imagine a person who has lost their "list" (plan or energy) and now feels empty and slow
- ✓Think of a hot summer day when you feel too tired to play outside and just want to sit still
- ✓NOT like "sleepy" (ready to sleep), but "listless" means no energy even to try or care
- ✓NOT like "lazy" (choosing not to work), listless is more about feeling weak or sick, not a choice
- ✓NOT like "excited" or "active," it is the opposite—no energy or interest
Try Other Words
- •Lethargic: feeling very slow and without energy (Use when describing someone who moves slowly because of tiredness or sickness)
- •Sluggish: moving or working more slowly than usual (Use when describing slow physical or mental activity)
- •Weary: feeling very tired after hard work or effort (Use when tiredness is from effort rather than illness)
- •Inactive: not moving or working (Use when focusing on lack of action rather than feeling)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "list" + suffix "-less" (without) → originally "without a list or purpose," now means without energy or interest
- •Etymology: From Old English "list" meaning desire or pleasure, plus "-less" meaning without
- •Historical development: Originally meant "without desire or pleasure," now used for lack of energy or enthusiasm
- •Modern usage: Describes someone who is weak, tired, or uninterested, often because of sickness or sadness
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt listless, and what helped you get your energy back?
•How can you tell the difference between feeling listless and just wanting to rest?
Fill in the blanks
1.After the long illness, she felt listless and had no ___ to do her usual activities.
2.A listless person often moves ___ and speaks in a quiet voice.
3.Unlike feeling sleepy, listless means you have no energy even if you are ___.
4.When students are listless, it usually means they lack ___ or interest in class.
5.Someone who is listless is not lazy; instead, their low energy is often caused by ___ or sadness.
6.People can feel listless after working hard for a long time or when they are ___.
7.To help a listless person, it is important to find out if they are sick or just ___ bored.