adjective

indolent

IN-duh-lunt/ˈɪndələnt/

Habitually unwilling to make an effort.

Her indolent roommate leaves every household chore for someone else.

A lazy adult remains sprawled on a couch while untouched tasks wait nearby.

Etymology

inLatinnot, without

+dolLatinsuffer pain, grieve

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

The pieces express not suffering pain, and the adjective originally meant painless. Its later meaning of living easily or lazily may connect freedom from pain with avoiding trouble and effort.

In context

Libranima248:23

after sitting on the windlass for a few indolent days but eating with a vigorous appetite he suddenly leaped to his feet

Moby Dick - Illustrated Audiobook for Focused Reading (Part 3/3)

More examples

He is too indolent to look for a job.
Her indolent habits make it difficult to meet deadlines.
The manager mistakes quiet employees for indolent ones.

Forms

indolent

indolence noun — Habitual unwillingness to make an effort.

indolently adverb — In a lazy, effort-avoiding manner.

Similar words

lazy: More common and less formal, with the same basic meaning.
slothful: More strongly condemns a habitual unwillingness to work.