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Laggard vs Straggler - What's the difference?

laggard | straggler |

As nouns the difference between laggard and straggler

is that laggard is one who lags behind and takes more time than is necessary while straggler is one who straggles, or departs from the direct or proper course, or from the company to which he belongs.

As an adjective laggard

is hanging back; loitering.

laggard

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Hanging back; loitering.
  • * 1752 , Francis Gentleman and Ben Jonson, Sejanus, A Tragedy , act 5, scene 1, page 54–55:
    • But come let's wing our Steps with utmost Speed,
    The swiftest Haste is laggard to the Deed.
  • * 1931 , William Faulkner, Sanctuary , Vintage 1993, p. 66:
    • Between blinks Tommy saw Temple in the path, her body slender and motionless for a moment as though waiting for some laggard part to catch up.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who lags behind and takes more time than is necessary.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    straggler

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who straggles, or departs from the direct or proper course, or from the company to which he belongs.
  • One who falls behind the rest.
  • One who rambles without any settled direction.
  • A roving vagabond.
  • Something that shoots, or spreads out, beyond the rest, or too far; an exuberant growth.
  • Something that stands alone or by itself.

    • Derived terms

    * blue straggler