Laid-back
adj ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Relaxed and easy-going; demonstrating an absence of stress or worry.
"The V-2's directional system was notoriously erratic. In May 1947, a V-2 launched from White Sands Proving Ground headed south instead of north, missing downtown Juarez, Mexico, by 3 miles. The Mexican government's response to the American bombing was admirably laid back. General Enrique Diaz Gonzales and Consul General Raul Michel met with United States officials, who issued apologies and an invitation to come to "the next rocket shoot" at White Sands. […"
- 1 unhurried and relaxed wordnet
Example
More examples"Australians are supposed to have a relaxed and laid-back attitude to life."
Etymology
From U.S. slang (circa 1950s). Presumably originally a metaphor — literally, "sitting in a tilted-back chair", a relaxed posture.
More for "laid-back"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.