First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
listless
adjective list·less \ˈlist-ləs\
: lacking energy or spirit
Full Definition of LISTLESS
: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit <a listless melancholy attitude>
— list·less·ly adverb
— list·less·ness noun
See listless defined for English-language learners
See listless defined for kids
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Examples of LISTLESS
- He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone. —Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
- She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. —Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964
- His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. —W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
- Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. —Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
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Origin of LISTLESS
Middle English listles, from 2list (see 2list)
Related to LISTLESS
- Synonyms
- enervated, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, limp, spiritless
- Antonyms
- ambitious, animated, energetic, enterprising, motivated
Synonym Discussion of LISTLESS
languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm. languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness <was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery>. languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity <languorous cats lying in the sun>. lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by halfhearted efforts <lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study>. listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom <listless hospital patients> <listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day>. spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life <a spiritless recital of the poem>.
LISTLESSNESS Defined for Kids
listless
adjective list·less \ˈlist-ləs\
Definition of LISTLESS for Kids
: too tired or too little interested to want to do things
— list·less·ly adverb
— list·less·ness noun
Learn More About LISTLESS
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