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Definition of layabout

layabout

/ˈleɪ.ə.baʊt/
lay · a · bout
Plural:layabouts
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layabout Lexical Profile

layabout Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who habitually does little or no work and spends their time in idleness.

Example

"His family worried he would become a permanent layabout if he did not look for a job soon."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for layabout

• Nearby Words

laxly
laxness
lay
layabout
layaway
layer
layered

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century as a compound of the colloquial phrase 'lay about' (used nonstandardly for 'lie about', meaning to lounge around idly).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Layabout. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/layabout
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