Slacker: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who avoids work or effort, often in a work or school setting. It typically has a negative connotation and implies irresponsibility or laziness.

• John never finishes his tasks on time; he's such a slacker

A general term for someone who lacks willingness to work or put in effort. This term is quite straightforward and has a negative implication.

• Samantha didn't want to clean her room; she's simply a lazy person

Refers to someone who avoids work, doing nothing productive. It can be neutral or slightly negative, often suggesting lack of productivity.

• During summer vacation, Mark turned into an idler, spending his days lounging in the sun

Describes someone who relaxes instead of working. This term can be neutral and often implies someone enjoying leisure or rest.

• On weekends, Tom becomes a lounger, preferring to lie on the sofa and watch TV

Considered an old-fashioned or literary term for a very lazy person. It has a strong negative connotation and is rarely used in modern conversation.

• The boss called him a sluggard for not meeting the deadlines again

Used to describe someone who avoids work or effort, often in a casual or informal context.

• Tom is such a slacker; he never meets his deadlines.
• The boss complained about the slackers in the team.

Used for someone who deliberately avoids their responsibilities or duties, often with a strong negative connotation.

• The team identified him as a shirker, avoiding all the important tasks.
• She's a notorious shirker, always finding excuses to skip work.

Refers to someone who moves slowly or wastes time, usually in a gentle or less harsh sense.

• Stop being a dawdler and hurry up, or we'll miss the train.
• The kids were dawdlers, dragging their feet on the way to school.

An old-fashioned or literary term for someone who is very lazy, often used in a somewhat humorous or exaggerated sense.

• You've been such a sluggard today, lying in bed till noon.
• In the old tales, the sluggard never wins the prize.

Describes someone who is habitually lazy or avoids work, often used in a more critical or derogatory manner.

• He's been a loafer ever since he quit his job.
• The town's loafers gathered at the café all day.