Word Finder
What's the word for a wish without effort?
The word you're looking for
The desire or wish to do something without the will, determination, or effort to pursue it. This word precisely captures the gap between what you want and your unwillingness to work for it.
Other words that fit
Use this when the wish seems unrealistic or impossible rather than simply lacking effort from the person.
Prefer this in casual speech when emphasizing false belief or hope without solid evidence, rather than lack of effort.
Use this for a more informal, imaginative wish or fantasy without expectation of it becoming real.
Why this word
Velleity is a formal word that describes a peculiar gap in human motivation: wanting something but lacking the will or effort to actually achieve it. Unlike a pipe dream (which emphasizes unrealism), velleity focuses on the person's own reluctance or laziness. It's different from wishful thinking too, which means believing something false will happen; velleity means you wish for something but don't genuinely want to work for it. This word appears frequently in psychology, philosophy, and self-help contexts because it names a common experience precisely. While quite literary and formal, it's worth learning because it conveys a complex idea much more elegantly than "I want it but won't try."
In context
- His desire to write a novel was mere velleity—he owned no laptop and never wrote.
- She had a velleity for fitness but refused to change her diet or exercise.
- Most New Year's resolutions are velleity; people wish to change without committing effort.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is velleity the same as procrastination?
- No. Procrastination means delaying action on something you plan to do. Velleity means you wish to do something but lack the genuine will or effort to pursue it at all. Procrastination assumes future action; velleity doesn't.
- When should I use velleity instead of pipe dream?
- Use velleity to emphasize the person's lack of effort or willpower. Use pipe dream when the wish itself is unrealistic or impossible—the focus is on the goal, not the person's effort.
- Is velleity formal or casual?
- Velleity is quite formal and literary. You'll find it in academic writing, psychology texts, and formal discussions, but rarely in everyday conversation.
- Can you have a velleity for something you're already doing?
- No. Velleity specifically means a wish without effort. Once you're actively pursuing something, you've moved past velleity into real commitment.