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OTIOSE

Dictionary entry overview: What does otiose mean?

• OTIOSE (adjective)
The adjective OTIOSE has 3 senses:

1. serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
2. producing no result or effect
3. disinclined to work or exertion

Familiarity information: OTIOSE used as an adjective is uncommon.

Dictionary entry details

• OTIOSE (adjective)

Sense 1

otiose ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

Synonyms:

otiose; superfluous; wasted; pointless

Context examples:

otiose lines in a play / advice is wasted words

Similar:

worthless (lacking in usefulness or value)

Sense 2

otiose ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Producing no result or effect

Synonyms:

futile; unavailing; otiose; ineffectual

Context examples:

a futile effort / the therapy was ineffectual / an otiose undertaking / an unavailing attempt

Similar:

useless (having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully)

Sense 3

otiose ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Disinclined to work or exertion

Synonyms:

faineant; indolent; slothful; work-shy; lazy; otiose

Context examples:

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

Similar:

idle (not in action or at work)

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