Listless: meaning, definitions and examples
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listless
[หlษชstlษs ]
Definitions
feeling or showing a lack of interest or energy
If you feel listless, you have no energy and no enthusiasm for anything. You just feel tired and lethargic, with no motivation to do anything.
Synonyms
apathetic, indifferent, lethargic, unmotivated.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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listless |
Used when someone has no energy or enthusiasm and shows little interest in what is happening around them. It often describes physical or emotional fatigue.
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lethargic |
Used to describe a state of sluggishness or lack of energy, often implying a physical cause like illness, tiredness, or lack of sleep.
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apathetic |
Used when someone shows no interest or emotion towards a situation, event, or subject. This term often suggests a lack of concern or care.
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unmotivated |
Used when someone lacks the drive or desire to do something. It suggests a lack of internal motivation or inspiration.
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indifferent |
Used when someone shows no particular interest or sympathy; they are neutral or unconcerned. It can be used in a more general sense than 'apathetic'.
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Examples of usage
- I've been feeling listless all day, I just can't seem to get motivated.
- She lay on the couch, listless and bored, with no desire to do anything.
- He seemed listless and disinterested during the meeting, not contributing anything.
lacking vitality or energy
Listless can also describe something that lacks vitality or energy, like a listless performance or a listless economy.
Synonyms
dull, inactive, lackluster, lifeless.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
listless |
Use this when describing someone who has no energy or enthusiasm and appears uninterested in their surroundings.
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lifeless |
Use this when describing something or someone that has no life, energy, or vitality. It often has a stronger negative connotation.
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dull |
Use this when describing something that is boring or lacks excitement. It can also describe a person who is not very bright or lively.
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lackluster |
Use this when something is not shining or sparkling, either literally or metaphorically. Often used to describe performances, events, or efforts that are disappointing.
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inactive |
Use this when referring to someone or something that is not engaging in any activity or movement. This term can be used for both people and objects.
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Examples of usage
- The team gave a listless performance, lacking energy and enthusiasm.
- The market showed a listless response to the new product, with minimal interest.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'listless' comes from the combination of 'list', which means 'desire', and the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'.
- It first appeared in English literature in the early 17th century, reflecting a time when people began describing emotional states more clearly.
- The idea behind 'listless' captures a lack of motivation or desire, often noted in writings from the romantic era.
Psychology
- Feeling listless can be a symptom of mental health conditions like depression, where individuals struggle with low energy and motivation.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome can also lead to feelings of listlessness, as individuals may physically be unable to engage in activities they once enjoyed.
- Psychologists note that listlessness varies in its impact, sometimes serving as a signal that one needs rest or a change in routine.
Literature
- Authors often use this term to evoke the emotional state of characters, illustrating their disconnection from life.
- Famous works by the likes of Virginia Woolf or F. Scott Fitzgerald depict protagonists experiencing listlessness in a rapidly changing world.
- The romantic poets, such as Keats and Shelley, frequently wrote about feelings of listlessness as part of the human condition, often linked to longing and unfulfilled desire.
Cultural Perspectives
- In some cultures, feeling listless is viewed with concern, as it can reflect a disconnection from community or purpose.
- In contrast, other cultures may see periods of listlessness as normal, allowing individuals time for reflection and self-care.
- The notion of becoming 'listless' has been explored in art movements, especially in Impressionism, where the focus on fleeting moments can mirror feelings of inactivity and contemplation.
Translations
Translations of the word "listless" in other languages:
๐ต๐น apรกtico
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฆเคพเคธเฅเคจ
๐ฉ๐ช lustlos
๐ฎ๐ฉ lesu
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐะฟะฐัะธัะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ apatyczny
๐ฏ๐ต ็กๆฐๅใช (ใใใใใใช)
๐ซ๐ท apathique
๐ช๐ธ apรกtico
๐น๐ท isteksiz
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฌด๊ธฐ๋ ฅํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุงุชุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ apatickรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ apatickรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ ็ฒพๆ้็ (wรบ jฤซng dว cวi de)
๐ธ๐ฎ apatichen
๐ฎ๐ธ viljalaus
๐ฐ๐ฟ าาฑะปัาััะท
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฌแงแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ laqeyd
๐ฒ๐ฝ apรกtico