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sloth

noun/sloʊθ/

definition

a laziness or reluctance to act or exert oneself

example

Her sloth prevented her from completing the project on time, as she kept procrastinating.

synonyms
indolencelazinessidleness
word origin — from Old English 'slæwð', meaning 'sloth, laziness, or indolence' influenced by the Latin 'acedia', meaning 'spiritual apathy'.

sloth, churl, proclivity, virtuoso, nihilism: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 147. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

  1. sloth · noun/sloʊθ/

    a laziness or reluctance to act or exert oneself

    Her sloth prevented her from completing the project on time, as she kept procrastinating.

    Synonyms: indolence, laziness, idleness

    Origin: from Old English 'slæwð', meaning 'sloth, laziness, or indolence' influenced by the Latin 'acedia', meaning 'spiritual apathy'.

  2. churl · noun/tʃɜrl/

    a rude or ill-tempered person

    Despite the festive atmosphere, the churl in the corner grumbled about the noise and refused to join the celebration.

    Synonyms: boor, lout, oaf

    Origin: The word 'churl' comes from the Old English 'ceorl', which originally referred to a man of low birth or a peasant.

  3. proclivity · noun/prəˈklɪv.ɪ.ti/

    a natural or habitual inclination or tendency to behave in a certain way

    His proclivity for risk-taking often led him to make impulsive decisions that others would avoid.

    Synonyms: inclination, tendency, penchant

    Origin: Originates from the Latin 'proclivitas', which comes from 'proclivis', meaning 'sloping' or 'inclined'.

  4. virtuoso · noun/ˌvɜr.tʃuˈoʊ.soʊ/

    a person highly skilled in a particular art, especially music

    The violinist was widely regarded as a virtuoso, captivating audiences with his extraordinary talent and precision.

    Synonyms: master, expert, prodigy

    Origin: Italian, from 'virtuoso' meaning 'skilled' or 'virtuous', derived from 'virtù' meaning 'skill' or 'virtue'

  5. nihilism · noun/ˈnaɪ.ɪ.lɪ.zəm/

    the belief that life is meaningless and rejects all religious and moral principles

    In a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty, many young people are flirting with nihilism, believing that traditional values hold no meaning.

    Synonyms: pessimism, skepticism, nihil

    Origin: The word 'nihilism' originates from the Latin word 'nihil', meaning 'nothing'. It was first used in the 19th century to describe a philosophy that rejects the existence of any inherent meaning or value.