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Laggard Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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laggard

[หˆlรฆษกษ™rd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

person

A person who makes slow progress and falls behind others.

Synonyms

slowpoke, straggler, trailer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
laggard

Typically used to describe someone who is consistently behind others in progress, development, or achievement, often in a negative or critical way.

  • In the tech industry, a laggard is a company that adopts new technologies much later than its competitors
  • The student was labeled a laggard because he always submitted his assignments late
straggler

Refers to someone who falls behind the main group, often in the context of a journey, event, or activity. It can imply that they are struggling to keep up.

  • During the marathon, a few stragglers were still crossing the finish line hours after the main group
  • The teacher had to wait for the stragglers to catch up during the field trip
slowpoke

Used casually or colloquially to describe someone who moves or acts slower than others. Often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner.

  • Hurry up, slowpoke! We're going to be late for the movie
  • She called her brother a slowpoke for taking too long to get ready
trailer

Usually used to describe the last in a series or a group, often without the negative connotation of 'laggard'. Can also refer to something that follows or trails behind.

  • In the sports race, she was a trailer, following the lead runners closely
  • The caravan had a trailer that carried all the luggage

Examples of usage

  • He was always the laggard in the group, struggling to keep up with the rest.
  • She was considered a laggard in her studies, always finishing assignments late.
Context #2 | Noun

economy

A country, sector, or company that is slower in economic growth compared to others.

Synonyms

slow-growing, underperformer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
laggard

Used to describe someone or something that is slow to move or respond, often in a competitive setting. It can be used for people, companies, or other entities.

  • In the rapidly growing tech market, the company was view as a laggard.
  • The laggard in the race finally finished an hour after everyone else.
underperformer

Refers to someone or something that fails to perform as well as others, often used in business or academic contexts. It has a negative connotation.

  • Despite high expectations, he turned out to be an underperformer in the project.
  • The company's stock has been labeled an underperformer by analysts.
slow-growing

Applied often to describe plants, businesses, or markets that develop at a slower rate compared to others.

  • We opted for slow-growing trees in our backyard to avoid rapid overgrowth.
  • This is a slow-growing market, requiring patience from investors.

Examples of usage

  • The country was labeled as a laggard in technological advancements.
  • The company was seen as a laggard in adopting new business practices.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, laggards are often depicted as cautionary characters, illustrating the importance of keeping pace with change.
  • Charles Dickens frequently used the motif of the laggard, characterizing certain figures as both humorous and tragic in their delay.
  • The term appears in various fables, where delays lead to missed opportunities, reinforcing moral lessons about timeliness.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that people labeled as laggards may experience increased stress or anxiety due to social comparison with more active peers.
  • Cognitive biases, such as the 'planning fallacy', can contribute to someone being a laggard, as they underestimate the time needed to complete tasks.
  • Motivational theory indicates that individuals may lag in productivity when lacking intrinsic motivation or clear goals.

Pop Culture

  • In modern slang, people sometimes use 'laggard' humorously to describe not just individuals, but also technology or trends that are outdated.
  • Reality television often portrays laggards as participants who procrastinate, creating dramatic tension in competitions.
  • Video games frequently use the term to refer to players who fall behind in pace or skill, affecting their team's performance.

Education

  • In educational contexts, the term is often applied to students who struggle to keep up with the curriculum, prompting the need for tailored support.
  • Research indicates that 'laggard' learners can benefit from differentiated instruction to bridge gaps in understanding.
  • Professional development programs often identify laggards in skills as targets for training initiatives to improve outcomes.

Origin of 'laggard'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'laggard' comes from the Middle English 'laggen', meaning to lag or fall behind.
  • Its roots trace back to the Old Norse word 'leggja', which means to lay down, hinting at a sense of inactivity.
  • Initially, it was used to describe someone who was slow in work or duty, emphasizing their sluggishness.

The word 'laggard' originated in the late 16th century from the Middle Low German word 'laggert', which means 'last, loiterer'. It has been used to describe slow-moving or slow-developing individuals, groups, or entities for centuries.

See also: lag, lager, lagger, lagging.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,334 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.