MAIN ENTRY: lack·a·dai·si·cal

PRONUNCIATION: \ˌla-kə-ˈdā-zi-kəl\
FUNCTION: adjective

ETYMOLOGY: (ca. 1768) From interjection lackadaisy, or “alas, alack” (1748), an alteration of lack-a-day (1690s), from alack the day—hence, “given to crying ‘lack-a-day,’ vapidly sentimental.” Its sense probably altered by influence of lax.

DEFINITION

lacking life, spirit, or zest, or languid

SYNONYMS

enervated, listless, languid, languishing, languorous, limp, spiritless

USAGE

Bobby must stop being lackadaisical in his studies if he wants to be successful someday.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

“I’m very concerned about people in Mississippi and Louisiana who have watched these storms the past two years hit Florida and Alabama and may have a little lackadaisical attitude toward this thing.”

—Michael Brown