Listlessly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Moving or acting without energy, enthusiasm, or interest in what one is doing
2. Exhibiting a lack of energy or vitality while undertaking tasks, as well as showing disinterest or apathy toward activities or surroundings
3. Demonstrating an absence of enthusiasm and spirit while engaging in actions, often resulting in a disconnected or passive demeanor

Etymology: "Listlessly" is the adverb of "listless", which in turn is built from "list" in its old sense of "desire, inclination" (as in "a list to do something") plus the suffix "-less", meaning "without". So "listless" originally described someone without the desire or inclination to act. The root "list" comes from Middle English "lust" in the sense of pleasure or wish, and it is related to "lust" and "listen" in the sense of paying attention. The adverbial ending "-ly" has a longer pedigree. It descends from an Old English suffix "-līċe", which itself grew out of a Proto-Germanic form meaning "like" or "having the form of", so "listlessly" literally means "in a manner without desire." The suffix passed through Middle English "-ly" and became the standard way to turn adjectives into adverbs in English.

Synonyms: languidly, indifferently

Antonyms: energetically, vigorously