layabout
|lay/a/bout|
B2
/ˈleɪəˌbaʊt/
lazy person
Etymology
Etymology Information
'layabout' originates from the English phrase 'lay about,' where 'lay' meant 'to lie down' and 'about' indicated 'around or in the vicinity.'
Historical Evolution
'lay about' transformed into the colloquial term 'layabout' in the 19th century, eventually becoming the modern English word 'layabout.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to lie around,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a lazy person.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who habitually does little or no work; a lazy person.
He's such a layabout, never lifting a finger to help.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45