different between lackluster vs languid

English

Alternative forms

• lacklustre (UK & Commonwealth)

Etymology

From lack +? luster.

Pronunciation

Adjective

lackluster (comparative more lackluster, superlative most lackluster) (American spelling)

1. Lacking brilliance or intelligence.
2. Having no shine or lustre; dull.
   • 1885, William Dean Howells, The Rise of Silas Lapham, New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1961, Chapter XIX, p. 273,

     He sat looking at her with lack-lustre eyes. The light suddenly came back into them.

3. Not exceptional; not worthy of special merit, attention, or interest; having no vitality.

   The actor gave a lackluster performance in his latest film.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:bore

Translations

Noun

lackluster (countable and uncountable, plural lacklusters) (American spelling)

1. (uncountable) Lack of brightness or points of interest.
2. (countable) A person or thing of no particular brilliance or intelligence.

Anagrams

• lack-lustre, lacklustre

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?læ?.?w?d/

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Latin languidus (“faint, weak, dull, sluggish, languid”).

Adjective

languid (comparative more languid, superlative most languid)

1. Lacking enthusiasm, energy, or strength; drooping or flagging from weakness, fatigue, or lack of energy
   • March 10 1753, (attributed to) Samuel Johnson, The Adventurer

     As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold.

   • 23 March 1816, Jane Austen, letter to Fanny

     I was languid and dull and very bad company when I wrote the above; I am better now, to my own feelings at least, and wish I may be more agreeable.

   • 1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, Chapter 21:

     George had an air at once swaggering and melancholy, languid and fierce.

2. Heavy; dull; dragging; wanting spirit or animation; listless; apathetic.

Synonyms

• exhausted
• faint
• listless
• swear/sweer
• weak
• weary

Derived terms

• languidly

Related terms

• languish
• languor
• languorous

Translations

Etymology 2

Alteration of languet.

Noun

languid (plural languids)

1. A languet in an organ (musical instrument).
   • 1913, Standard Organ Building, page 150:

     As may be required, a small hole is bored in either of the languids, or in the back of the pipe in the space between the two languids. By this means, in addition to the current of air passing between the languids and the lower lip, […]

References

• languid in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• Gauldin, dualing, lauding