languid

/ˈlæŋɡwɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlaŋ-gwəd/ (ame, mw)

languid — 形容詞

  • languidpositive
  • more languidcomparative
  • most languidsuperlative

1. having a relaxed, slow way of carrying yourself that looks smooth and appealing

1.形容詞C1
釋義

慵懶的

動作緩慢而優雅的

having a relaxed, slow way of carrying yourself that looks smooth and appealing rather than tired — often used to describe movements, voices, or poses that feel unhurried and elegant.

例句

The dancer moved across the stage with long, languid steps that held the audience silent.

那位舞者在舞台上以緩慢而優雅的步伐移動，讓全場觀眾屏息凝神。

languid + steps / movements describing graceful slowness

Yuna lay on the sofa in a languid pose, turning the pages of a magazine.

Yuna 慵懶地躺在沙發上，一頁一頁地翻著雜誌。

languid pose — describing a relaxed body position

同義詞
  • languorous

    more poetic and dreamy, often suggesting a pleasant drowsiness rather than deliberate calm

  • graceful

    emphasises elegance without any suggestion of slowness

  • relaxed

    broader and more casual; lacks the visual elegance that languid implies

反義詞
  • energetic

    full of active force or vitality

  • brisk

    quick and energetic in movement, without any hint of slowness

用法筆記

Unlike sense 2, this sense carries a positive or neutral connotation — the slowness is seen as graceful or charming, not a sign of illness or exhaustion. Subject is typically a person's movements, voice, expression, or the atmosphere of a scene.

常見錯誤

❌She felt languid and sick after the meal.
✅She felt sluggish and sick after the meal.
💡Use sense 2 (LACKING ENERGY) for negative tiredness; sense 1 describes an appealing, graceful slowness.

2. feeling weak, tired, or without the will to do things — as if your body and mind

2.形容詞C1
釋義

無精打采

缺乏活力或興致的

feeling weak, tired, or without the will to do things — as if your body and mind are moving through water and everything requires noticeable effort.

例句

Amara felt languid and heavy after staying up all night finishing her biology project.

Amara 熬夜完成生物專題報告後，覺得全身無力、疲憊不堪。

feel languid — describing tiredness from lack of sleep

A wave of languid weariness washed over Minh as he climbed the final stairs.

Minh 爬上最後幾級階梯時，一股倦怠感朝他襲來。

languid weariness — collocation for extreme tiredness

同義詞
  • sluggish

    emphasises slow physical reaction; more neutral than languid

  • listless

    focuses on lack of interest or motivation rather than physical energy

  • lethargic

    medical or clinical tone; suggests a pathological lack of energy

反義詞
  • vigorous

    strong, healthy, and full of energy

  • spirited

    full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a genuinely depleted state — from illness, exhaustion, heat, or low mood. Common with verbs like 'feel', 'grow', and 'become'. Can also describe periods of economic or cultural inactivity (e.g. 'a languid economy').

常見錯誤

❌The ballet dancer's movements were languid and clumsy.
✅The ballet dancer's movements were languid and graceful.
💡Sense 1 describes elegant slowness, not clumsiness. Use 'sluggish' or 'clumsy' for negative physical uncoordination.