What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lethargy
Example
After working long hours, I was overcome with lethargy and could barely keep my eyes open. [lethargy: noun]
Example
The medication made me feel lethargic and unmotivated. [lethargic: adjective]
listlessness
Example
She felt listless and uninterested in the things she used to enjoy. [listless: adjective]
Example
The hot weather left him feeling drained and listless. [listlessness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lethargy is a more commonly used word than listlessness in everyday language. Lethargy is often used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion or fatigue, while listlessness is less common and is often used to describe a milder form of exhaustion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lethargy and listlessness?
Both lethargy and listlessness are formal words that are typically used in professional or medical contexts to describe a state of exhaustion or fatigue.