Standard Lemma guide

listlessness

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state of being listless; apathetic indifference; lethargy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: torpidity, torpidness, torpor

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: passivity, passiveness

3

noun

Meaning 3

a feeling of lack of interest or energy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: languor, lassitude

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: apathy

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Middle English lystles English listless Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English listlessness From listless + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: lusteloosheid — state of being listless
  • Esperanto: spleno — state of being listless
  • German: Lustlosigkeit — state of being listless
  • Gothic: 𐌿𐌽𐌻𐌿𐍃𐍄𐌿𐍃 (unlustus) — state of being listless
  • Greek: νωθρότητα (nothrótita) — state of being listless
  • Greek: ατονία (atonía) — state of being listless
  • Greek: ακηδία (akidía) — state of being listless
  • Irish: díbheocht — state of being listless
  • Latin: torpor — state of being listless
  • Latin: veternus — state of being listless
  • Latin: ignavia — state of being listless
  • Māori: tīrohea — state of being listless
  • Polish: anemiczność — state of being listless
  • Russian: вялость (vjalostʹ) — state of being listless
  • Sicilian: siḍḍiju — state of being listless
  • Turkish: bıkkınlık — state of being listless
  • Turkish: usantı — state of being listless
  • Turkish: usanç — state of being listless
  • Turkish: bezginlik — state of being listless
  • Turkish: uyuşukluk — state of being listless
  • Ottoman Turkish: گوشكلك (gevşeklik) — state of being listless