English vocabulary · B2
Indolent
/ˈɪn.də.lənt/ · adj.
It means slow-moving and not active.
Watch the Indolent lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The doctor said the tumor was indolent and safe to watch.
- An indolent infection may show no clear signs for months.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- in — not (from Latin)
- dol — feel pain (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- slow (moving or working without any urgency)
- inactive (doing nothing for extended periods)
- sluggish (energy is low and movement is heavy)
Words with the same root
dolere — feel pain
- condolence — an expression of sympathy shared with someone in pain or grief
- doleful — full of sadness and grief
- dolor — deep sorrow or pain
Lesson notes
Indolent. It means slow-moving and not active. A tumor that does not grow fast is called indolent.
Similar words are slow, inactive, and sluggish. Use indolent when something moves or grows very slowly over time.
The doctor said the tumor was indolent and safe to watch. An indolent infection may show no clear signs for months.
From Latin. In means not. Dol means feel pain. No pain, no push to grow — that slow, quiet state is indolent.