What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
idleness
Example
His idleness was starting to affect his mental health. [idleness: noun]
Example
She spent the afternoon in idleness, reading a book and enjoying the sunshine. [idleness: noun]
sloth
Example
His slothful attitude towards work was causing problems for the team. [slothful: adjective]
Example
She struggled with sloth and procrastination, which made it difficult to complete her assignments on time. [sloth: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idleness is a more common word than sloth in everyday language, as it has a broader range of contexts and can be used in both neutral and positive ways. Sloth is less common and is often used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between idleness and sloth?
Sloth is generally considered a more formal or literary word than idleness, as it has a stronger negative connotation and is often used in philosophical or religious contexts. Idleness, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
