shiftless
5
8.4
- adjective
- /ˈʃɪftləs/
- Offensive
:
vago
- Many people called him shiftless because he never bothered to look for a job.
- shiftless and lazy
Examples
-
She was frustrated by her shiftless husband, who preferred watching TV to finding work.
-
I don't like shiftless layabouts.
-
You worry about your own shiftless self.
-
Never knew such a shiftless fella.
-
There passed several shiftless weeks for Master Giles.
Fiction book (2000) -
The doctor, standing shiftless before the open window, watches and waits.
Fiction book (1994) -
By the Moon's light, Derek is a pleasant, shiftless soul.
Fiction book (2001) -
He's a shiftless, scheming rascal.
-
He's shiftless and irresponsible.
-
Bolton's work is a carefully crafted corrective to the negative stereotype of early Arkansas settlers as shiftless, lazy, lawless, and lacking in ambition.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
355
1.0
Not willing to work or make an effort
15
5.3
Being very tired and slow with little interest or energy
8
4.4
Not feeling interest or energy to do something
5
8.6
Showing little energy or interest and doing things slowly and carelessly
4
7.2
Not willing to work and often inactive
2
8.0
Not wanting to work or try hard
1
9.1
Very lazy and not willing to do any work or help
1
7.3
Not wanting to become more successful or get a promotion
Not willing to do any work most of the time
Not willing to do a job or make an effort
Unwilling to work or help
Not willing to work or make effort
Not working hard and often lazy
Not giving enough care or effort when doing tasks
Antonyms
How Lazy
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word shiftless comes from shift + -less. In older English shift meant 'a way to manage' or 'a clever plan', so shiftless literally means 'without a way to manage', which is why it describes someone lazy or without drive.