What does lackadaisical mean?
Word: Lackadaisical
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Lackadaisical means doing something with very little energy, care or interest.
Synonyms: half-hearted, listless, careless
Antonyms: diligent, energetic
Word origin: Grew in the 18th century out of lackaday, an old English cry of sorrow.
How do you spell lackadaisical?
Syllables: lack - a - dai - si - cal
Tricky part: The third syllable keeps both letters of ai, and pupils who hurry keep only the a.
Watch out for: lackadasical, lacadaisical
Memory tip: Picture a sleepy gardener lying among the daisies, too idle to pull a weed. The ai of daisy sits in the middle of this word.
Lackadaisical in a sentence
Example 1: After a lackadaisical first hour, Priya finally opened her revision notes.
Example 2: Ravi gave a lackadaisical wave and went back to his comic.
Example 3: The shopkeeper's lackadaisical manner surprised customers used to quick service.
Fun Fact
When the word appeared in the 1700s, it described someone feebly sentimental, always sighing over something. Its modern sense of not really trying came later.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
lackadais__al
a) ac
b) ik
c) ic
d) ec
Show answer
c) ic. Like magical and comical, this word closes with the common adjective ending.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their opposites:
1. lackadaisical 2. frugal 3. candid a. secretive b. wasteful c. eager
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
d) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Show answer
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a. Careful with money is the reverse of wasteful, open is the reverse of secretive, and a half-hearted person is the reverse of eager.
Sound Check
In which word is 'ai' pronounced differently?
a) acquaint
b) complain
c) lackadaisical
d) captain
Show answer
d) captain. Captain ends in a weak sound like the i in tin, while the others have the ay of day.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) tranquil : turbulant
b) lackadaisical : energetic
c) obscure : renowned
d) meagre : abundant
Show answer
a) tranquil : turbulant. Turbulent takes an e before the nt.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The team's lackadaisical fielding cost them the match. How did the fielders probably behave?
a) They left the ground before the end.
b) They strolled slowly after the ball.
c) They dived for every catch going.
d) They argued with the umpire all day.
Show answer
b) They strolled slowly after the ball.
2. Which remark might a teacher write in the report of a lackadaisical student?
a) Always first to finish, and neat.
b) Hard-working and eager to help out.
c) Capable, but rarely makes an effort.
d) Reads widely and asks good questions.
Show answer
c) Capable, but rarely makes an effort.
