Lethargic: Meaning, Examples and Quiz
Lethargic (adjective) — Lethargic means lacking energy or enthusiasm, or moving and responding slowly. It can describe a person’s state or, figuratively, an inactive organisation or process.
Describe the state without guessing the cause
“I felt lethargic this afternoon” describes a low-energy feeling. The word alone does not explain why someone feels that way, and it is not the same as deliberately refusing to work.
In reporting or discussion, a lethargic response suggests a slow, unenergetic reaction. Choose the context carefully: a calm response may still be prompt and effective.
Lethargic in sentences
- After the long journey, I felt lethargic and found it hard to concentrate on the instructions.
- The team’s lethargic start allowed its opponents to take the lead.
- The afternoon discussion became lethargic until a new question caught everyone’s attention.
- Critics complained about the organisation’s lethargic response to the proposal.
Useful patterns and word forms
Lethargic is an adjective; lethargically is an adverb; lethargy is a noun. Compare “a lethargic reply” with “he replied lethargically”.
Short quiz: check your understanding
Try each question before opening its answer.
Question 1
Lethargic most closely means A) energetic or B) sluggish?
Show answer 1 and explanation
B. It describes a lack of energy or activity.
Question 2
Does saying someone feels lethargic prove they are lazy?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. It describes a state, not a person’s motives or its cause.
Question 3
Complete: “The players moved ___.” Choose lethargy or lethargically.
Show answer 3 and explanation
Lethargically. The adverb describes how they moved.
Try it today: Write one sentence about a person and one about a slow response.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Lethargic. Examples and quiz questions are written for English Skill Studio.
FROM READING TO PRACTICE
Practise this topic
Build on this article with a connected lesson. Explore the explanation, try the examples, and check what you remember.
Lethargic
Practise the same low-energy adjective in a word lesson.
Idiom lessonBurn the candle at both ends
Learn an expression about excessive work and insufficient rest; it does not diagnose a cause of lethargy.
Grammar lessonAdjectives – Types, Order, Comparisons
Practise adjective placement using examples related to lethargic.
Categories: Word of the day-2