lifeless
UK: ˈlaɪfləs | US: ˈlaɪfləs
adj. without life; inanimate or dead
adj. lacking energy, vitality, or enthusiasm; dull
The word "lifeless" combines the Old English root "līf" (meaning "life") with the suffix "-less," derived from Old English "-lēas," denoting absence. The fusion creates a straightforward descriptor for the absence of life or vitality. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe things or people lacking energy or spirit, reflecting the logical progression from literal to figurative meaning.
The desert appeared lifeless under the scorching sun.
Her performance was criticized as lifeless and uninspired.
The abandoned house stood lifeless, its windows boarded up.
After the surgery, he felt weak and lifeless for days.
The robot's movements were precise but utterly lifeless.