What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
layabout
Example
He's such a layabout, he never helps with anything around the house. [layabout: noun]
Example
She spent the whole day being a layabout, watching TV and doing nothing. [layabout: adjective]
loafer
Example
He's always been a loafer, never wanting to do anything productive. [loafer: noun]
Example
She spent the afternoon being a loafer, just sitting on the couch and scrolling through her phone. [loafer: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loafer is more commonly used than layabout in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between layabout and loafer?
Both layabout and loafer are informal words and are not appropriate for formal contexts.
