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slouch

slouch / slouch / slouch / slouch
Intransitive VerbTransitive VerbNoun
pl: slouchespast: slouchedpp: sloucheding: slouching

This term conveys a sense of physical collapse or a lack of tension, often associated with fatigue, boredom, or a lack of confidence. It describes a posture that deviates from the upright ideal, suggesting a surrender to gravity. When used as a verb, it implies a slow, ungainly movement or a static state of poor posture. When applied to a person's character, the word shifts from a physical description to a moral or behavioral judgment. In this sense, it describes someone who avoids effort or lacks the drive to succeed. This usage is often found in the idiomatic phrase "no slouch," which uses litotes to emphasize that someone is actually very skilled or hardworking.

Meanings

Intransitive Verbslouch
[~]

To stand, move, or sit with the shoulders drooping and the back bent forward.

"He tended to slouch when he was feeling insecure."

Transitive Verbslouch
[~ something]

To cause someone or something to assume a drooping or slumped posture.

"The heavy backpack seemed to slouch his entire frame."

Nounslouch

A lazy, drooping, or slumped posture of the body.

"Her habitual slouch made her appear shorter than she actually was."

Nounslouch

A person who is lazy or lacks ambition.

"He was known as a bit of a slouch when it came to household chores."

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Last Updated: June 18, 2026Report an Error