lackadaisical

/ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/

//ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"lackadaisical" is a 13-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“lackadaisical” is uncommon English (frequency #73,363 among 16,425 “L” headwords), classed as an adjective. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#73,363
frequency rank, English
16,425
“L” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Showing no interest, vigor, determination, or enthusiasm.

Key facts for lackadaisical
PropertyValue
Headwordlackadaisical
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/
Letters13
Frequency rank#73,363
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “lackadaisical” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). lackadaisical lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

lackadaisical is uncommon English at frequency #73,363 among 16,425 “L” headwords, classed as anadjective, transcribed /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

lackadaisical has no tracked misspelling variants, typically a sign the spelling maps closely to how the word sounds. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From the archaic expression lackadaisy + -ic + -al. The correct English form is lackadaisical, spelled L-A-C-K-A-D-A-I-S-I-C-A-L.

Definition

  1. 1
    Showing no interest, vigor, determination, or enthusiasm.
  2. 2
    Lazy; slothful; indolent.

Etymology

From the archaic expression lackadaisy + -ic + -al.

This word in other languages

lánguido(Español)languide(Français)gleichgültig(Deutsch)apático(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "lackadaisical"?
"lackadaisical" is spelled L-A-C-K-A-D-A-I-S-I-C-A-L. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/.
What does "lackadaisical" mean?
As an adjective, "lackadaisical" means: Showing no interest, vigor, determination, or enthusiasm.
How do you pronounce "lackadaisical"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "lackadaisical" is /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "lackadaisical"?
From the archaic expression lackadaisy + -ic + -al. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “lackadaisical”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is L-A-C-K-A-D-A-I-S-I-C-A-L - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list