slacker

IPA/ˈslækə(r)/
KK[slˈækɚ]IPA/ˈslækər/

slacker — noun

  • slackersingular
  • slackersplural

1. someone who keeps away from jobs they should do and lets other people carry the

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who keeps away from jobs they should do and lets other people carry the load instead

Example

Mira called her brother a slacker because he never helped clean the kitchen.

informal insult aimed at someone who avoids chores

The new manager warned that slackers would be the first to lose their jobs.

plural form: slackers as a group

Common collocations
  • a bunch of slackers
  • branded a slacker
  • no slacker
Synonyms
  • shirker

    more formal; stresses dodging a specific duty

  • idler

    literary; someone who simply stays inactive, less blaming than 'slacker'

  • loafer

    informal; someone who wastes time, often outdoors or in public

Antonyms

Usage Note

Informal and disapproving — calling someone a slacker says they could do the work but choose not to, so it sounds like an accusation rather than a neutral label.

Common Mistakes

My old computer is a slacker.
My old computer is slow.
'slacker' describes a lazy person, not a slow machine or object.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four name a person who is not pulling their weight, but they differ in tone and focus. 'Slacker' is informal and modern, often aimed at students or workers who could do more but coast along — it carries a note of disappointment. 'Shirker' is sharper and a little more formal; it points at someone dodging a clear, specific duty, like a shirker who skips guard duty. 'Idler' sounds older and gentler, describing someone who simply does nothing rather than someone failing a task. 'Loafer' suggests wasting time openly, hanging around with nothing useful to do. So you might say: 'The teacher saw three slackers texting, while the idler by the window just stared outside.'

slacker ↗shirkeridler ↗loafer ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a bunch of slackers
  • branded a slacker
  • no slacker

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Slacker' comes from the older verb 'slack', meaning to be loose or to ease off, joined with '-er' for a person who does something. The word grew popular during the First World War for men who tried to avoid joining the army, and it later widened to mean anyone who avoids work or effort.