Languorous
adjective /ˈlaŋɡ(ə)rəs/ — Slow and sensual in a way that feels deeply relaxed.
Definition
Having a pleasantly lazy quality; slow-moving and sensual, suggesting a dreamy, relaxed indulgence.
Beyond the definition
Languorous is the word for slow summer afternoons, for the unhurried pace of someone deeply at ease in their own body. It's not lazy — it's deliberate slowness. The languorous quality of a gesture or voice is often more magnetic than any urgency.
Origin & history
From Old French languoros — 'faint, weak', from langueur 'languor'. Latin root languere 'to be faint or weary'. The negative meaning of weakness transformed over time into the sensual pleasure of unhurried ease.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She stretched with a languorous grace that made the room fall quiet.
The afternoon had a languorous, dreamlike quality.
His languorous delivery made every sentence feel like it was worth waiting for.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Languorous” when the meaning fits your context: Having a pleasantly lazy quality; slow-moving and sensual, suggesting a dreamy, relaxed indulgence.
Synonyms
dreamy, languid, slow, sensual, unhurried
Antonyms
energetic, brisk, hurried, agitated
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Sweetness of Unhurried Time
A person sits with a candle and remnants of a meal, lost in a slow, thoughtful moment as light fades.
The dim light and relaxed posture depict a state of pleasant, dreamy indulgence. It mirrors the feeling of languor, where the passage of time slows down and sensory experiences take precedence over active engagement.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Languorous" mean?
Languorous is adjective meaning: Slow and sensual in a way that feels deeply relaxed.. Having a pleasantly lazy quality; slow-moving and sensual, suggesting a dreamy, relaxed indulgence.
Where does the word "Languorous" come from?
From Old French languoros — 'faint, weak', from langueur 'languor'. Latin root languere 'to be faint or weary'. The negative meaning of weakness transformed over time into the sensual pleasure of unhurried ease.