Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [ley-uh-bout]
- /ˈleɪ əˌbaʊt/
- /ˈleɪ.əˌbaʊt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [ley-uh-bout]
- /ˈleɪ əˌbaʊt/
Definitions of layabout word
- noun layabout a lazy or idle person; loafer. 1
- noun layabout A person who habitually does little or no work. 1
- noun layabout idle person 1
- countable noun layabout If you say that someone is a layabout, you disapprove of them because they do not work and you think they are lazy. 0
- noun layabout a lazy person; loafer 0
- verb layabout to hit out with violent and repeated blows in all directions 0
Information block about the term
Origin of layabout
First appearance:
before 1930 One of the 10% newest English words
1930-35; noun use of verb phrase lay about, nonstandard variant of lie about
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Layabout
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
layabout popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 50% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 69% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
layabout usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for layabout
noun layabout
- waster — a person or thing that wastes time, money, etc.
- wanderer — a Covenanter persecuted by Charles II and James II, especially one who fled home to follow rebellious Presbyterian ministers who refused to accept episcopacy.
- wastrel — a wasteful person; spendthrift.
- malingerer — to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty, avoid work, etc.
- slouch — to sit or stand with an awkward, drooping posture.
Antonyms for layabout
noun layabout
- go-getter — an enterprising, aggressive person.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with l
- Words starting with la
- Words starting with lay
- Words starting with laya
- Words starting with layab
- Words starting with layabo
- Words starting with layabou
- Words starting with layabout