Lazy vs. Active — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 16, 2024
Lazy refers to a lack of effort or inclination to work, while active describes someone who is engaged, energetic, and involved in various activities.
Difference Between Lazy and Active
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lazy individuals tend to avoid exertion and prefer idleness. They often procrastinate and may lack motivation to engage in tasks, leading to inactivity. Active individuals, on the other hand, are characterized by their high levels of energy and engagement in various activities.
Lazy behavior often results in missed opportunities and unaccomplished goals, as the individual might put off tasks until the last minute or not complete them at all. Conversely, active behavior leads to the pursuit and achievement of goals, as active individuals are more likely to take initiative and follow through on their commitments.
In social contexts, lazy people might prefer sedentary activities and avoid social engagements, whereas active people often participate in social events, sports, and other group activities, contributing to a more dynamic social life.
From a health perspective, laziness can lead to various health issues due to lack of physical activity, such as obesity and cardiovascular problems. In contrast, active people tend to have better physical health and fitness due to regular exercise and movement.
Emotionally, laziness can result in feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction due to unaccomplished tasks, whereas being active can lead to a sense of accomplishment and higher self-esteem from achieving goals and staying productive.
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Comparison Chart
Effort
Lack of effort, prefers idleness
Engaged, energetic
Productivity
Low, often procrastinates
High, proactive and goal-oriented
Social Engagement
Prefers sedentary activities
Participates in social and group activities
Health Impact
Negative, risk of health issues
Positive, better physical fitness
Emotional State
Possible guilt and dissatisfaction
Higher self-esteem and accomplishment
Compare with Definitions
Lazy
Avoiding exertion or activity.
She is lazy about doing her homework.
Active
Engaging in physical activities.
He leads an active lifestyle by jogging daily.
Lazy
Procrastinating or delaying tasks.
His laziness caused him to miss the deadline.
Active
Involved in various tasks and events.
She is active in community service projects.
Lazy
Exhibiting inactivity or idleness.
They spent a lazy afternoon by the pool.
Active
Showing initiative and drive.
He takes an active role in managing the team.
Lazy
Reluctant to engage in effortful tasks.
Her lazy attitude affected her performance.
Active
Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits
Although he was seventy he was still robust and active
Lazy
Unwilling to work or use energy.
He felt too lazy to mow the lawn today.
Active
Pursuing an occupation or activity at a particular place or in a particular way
Sexually active teenagers
A politically active student body
Tigers are active mainly at night
The artist was active in the 1920s
Lazy
Not willing to work or be energetic.
Active
(of a thing) working; operative
The old watermill was active until 1960
Lazy
Slow-moving; sluggish
A lazy river.
Active
Denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g. she loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved).
Lazy
Conducive to inactivity or indolence
A lazy summer day.
Active
An active form of a verb.
Lazy
Depicted as reclining or lying on its side. Used of a brand on livestock.
Active
Being in physical motion
Active fish in the aquarium.
Lazy
Unwilling to do work or make an effort; disinclined to exertion.
Get out of bed, you lazy lout!
Active
Functioning or capable of functioning.
Lazy
Causing or characterised by idleness; relaxed or leisurely.
I love staying inside and reading on a lazy Sunday.
Active
Marked by energetic activity; busy
Active stock and bond markets.
Spent an active day sightseeing.
Lazy
Showing a lack of effort or care.
Lazy writing
Active
Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy
An active workout at the gym.
Lazy
Sluggish; slow-moving.
We strolled along beside a lazy stream.
Active
Being in a state of action; not quiescent
Active hostilities along the border.
Lazy
Lax:
Active
Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant
An active volcano.
Lazy
Droopy.
A lazy-eared rabbit
Active
Marked by or involving direct participation
Took an active interest in politics.
Played an active role on the committee.
Lazy
(optometry) Of an eye, squinting because of a weakness of the eye muscles.
Active
Currently in use or effect
An active membership.
Lazy
Turned so that (the letter) is horizontal instead of vertical.
Active
Openly acknowledged or expressed
An active dislike of the new neighbors.
Lazy
(comptheory) Employing lazy evaluation; not calculating results until they are immediately required.
A lazy algorithm
Active
Producing an intended action or effect
Active ingredients.
Lazy
Wicked; vicious.
Active
Indicating that the grammatical subject of a verb is performing or causing the action expressed. Used of a verb form or voice.
Lazy
(informal) To laze, act in a lazy manner.
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
Lazy
A lazy person.
Active
Of or relating to the management of an investment portfolio by continually making investment decisions based on new information as opposed to maintaining a predetermined strategy or reproducing the returns of a market or index.
Lazy
(obsolete) Sloth (animal).
Active
Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
Lazy
Disinclined to action or exertion; averse to labor; idle; shirking work.
Active
Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
Lazy
Inactive; slothful; slow; sluggish; as, a lazy stream.
Active
Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.
Lazy
Wicked; vicious.
Active
The active voice.
Lazy
Moving slowly and gently;
Up a lazy river
Lazy white clouds
At a lazy pace
Active
A construction or form in the active voice.
Lazy
Disinclined to work or exertion;
Faineant kings under whose rule the country languished
An indolent hanger-on
Too lazy to wash the dishes
Shiftless idle youth
Slothful employees
The unemployed are not necessarily work-shy
Active
A participating member of an organization
Union actives.
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
Certain active principles
The active powers of the mind
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
An active child or animal
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
Active laws
Active hostilities
Active
Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
An active man of business
Active mind
Active zeal
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion
Active employment or service
Active scenes
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
An active rather than a speculative statesman
Active
Brisk; lively.
An active demand for corn
Active
Implying or producing rapid action.
An active disease
An active remedy
Active
About verbs.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
Active
Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
Active
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Active
Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
Active
(electronics) Not passive.
Active
(gay sexual slang) of a homosexual man enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.
Active
A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
Active
(electronics) Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; - opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; - opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
Active
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
Active
Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.
Active
Chemical agent capable of activity
Active
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb;
`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice
Active
A person devoted to the active life
Active
Tending to become more severe or wider in scope;
Active tuberculosis
Active
Engaged in or ready for military or naval operations;
On active duty
The platoon is combat-ready
Review the fighting forces
Active
Disposed to take action or effectuate change;
A director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
An active antagonism
He was active in drawing attention to their grievances
Active
Taking part in an activity;
An active member of the club
He was politically active
The participating organizations
Active
Characterized by energetic activity;
An active toddler
Active as a gazelle
An active man is a man of action
Active
Exerting influence or producing an effect;
An active ingredient
Active
Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity;
An active seaport
An active bond market
An active account
Active
In operation;
Keep hope alive
The tradition was still alive
An active tradition
Active
Of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
Active
Expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:
Hemingway favors active constructions
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
Active
(of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt;
Active volcanos
An extinct volcano
Active
Producing activity or change
Active
Engaged in full-time work;
Active duty
Though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
Active
Being in physical motion;
Active fish in the aquarium
Active
Characterized by energetic bodily activity;
Tennis is an active sport
A very physical dance performance
Active
Energetic and lively.
The children are very active and love playing outside.
Active
Physically and mentally engaged.
An active mind is crucial for problem-solving.
Common Curiosities
How does being active affect one's social life?
Active people often participate in social events and group activities, enhancing their social life.
What are the consequences of being lazy?
Laziness can lead to low productivity, missed opportunities, and health issues.
How does being active influence productivity?
Active individuals are more proactive and goal-oriented, leading to higher productivity.
How would you describe an active individual?
An active individual is engaged, energetic, and involved in various activities.
Can laziness impact one's emotional well-being?
Yes, laziness can result in feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction.
How does laziness affect goal achievement?
Laziness often leads to unaccomplished goals due to lack of effort.
What defines a lazy person?
A lazy person avoids exertion and prefers idleness.
What are the health benefits of being active?
Active individuals tend to have better physical fitness and overall health.
Do lazy people prefer sedentary activities?
Yes, lazy individuals typically prefer sedentary activities.
What can lead to a lazy attitude?
Lack of motivation, low energy, and procrastination can contribute to a lazy attitude.
Is procrastination a sign of laziness?
Yes, procrastination is often associated with laziness.
Can an active lifestyle improve mental health?
Yes, an active lifestyle can improve mental health by reducing stress and enhancing mood.
How does an active mindset influence personal growth?
An active mindset fosters personal growth by encouraging continuous learning and engagement in new experiences.
What types of activities do active people engage in?
Active people engage in physical exercise, social events, and various tasks and projects.
Is being active important for overall well-being?
Yes, being active is crucial for maintaining physical and mental well-being.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
