Sluggish Meaning and Definition
Sluggish
Pronunciation
/ˈsluːdʒɪʃ/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Lacking energy, enthusiasm, or vitality; sluggish: moving or happening slowly and lazily.
Examples
- The team’s performance was sluggish in the second half.
- After a long illness, he was feeling sluggish and tired.
Synonyms
- Languid
- Lazy
- Slumberous
Antonyms
- Vigorous
- Active
- Enthusiastic
Etymology
The word “sluggish” originates from the Old English word “slugg”, meaning “slow-moving” or “lazy”, derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*slukiz”, which is also the source of the Modern English word “slug”.
Usage Notes
When using “sluggish” to describe someone or something, it is often used to convey a sense of lack of energy or motivation.
Cultural References
“Sluggish” has been used to describe characters in various forms of media, such as films, literature, and television shows.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Feeling sluggish” is a common idiomatic expression that means feeling tired or lacking energy.
Related Words or Phrases
- Lazy
- Slothful
- Indolent
Collocations
- Feeling sluggish
- Sluggish pace
- Sluggish response
Frequency of Use
“Sluggish” is a relatively common adjective in modern English usage, often used to describe physical or mental states, as well as to describe the performance of machines or systems.
Common Misspellings
- Sluggishy
- Sluggissh