slouch
SLOWCH
/slaʊtʃ/
To stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way.
Carries a negative connotation of laziness, poor physical discipline, or low energy.
The story behind the word. First appearing in the 16th century, 'slouch' originally referred to a lazy, clumsy, or drooping person. It likely has Scandinavian roots, capturing the image of someone melting into their surroundings due to a lack of energy or discipline.
Word relationships
- slump: Slump implies a sudden, heavy collapse or drop due to fatigue, whereas slouch is a continuous, lazy posture.
- droop: Droop refers to hanging down limply (often used for plants or tired eyelids), while slouch is specific to human body posture.
- stand straight: Standing straight involves an upright, active alignment of the spine.
Commonly confused with
- crouch: Crouch means to bend the knees and lower the body close to the ground, while slouch is a lazy, drooping posture.
Word family
- sloucher (noun): A person who slouches.
Collocations
- slouch in a chair
- slouch forward
- no slouch (idiom)
Idioms & expressions
- no slouch (an industrious or highly skilled person)
Example sentences
- "If you continue to slouch in your chair like that, you will eventually develop chronic lower back pain." A teacher correcting a student's posture.
Memory hook
If you slouch, you look like a grouch on a couch. Melting into gravity.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a deliberate, respectful bow or a physical bend to pick something up.
Fun facts
- The idiom 'no slouch' dates back to the 17th century, meaning that a person is definitely not a lazy, drooping individual, but rather highly capable and energetic.
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