Idle

/ˈaɪd(ə)l/ · adjective

Meaning

(obsolete) Empty, vacant..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) Empty, vacant.
2. Not being used appropriately; not occupied; (of time) with no, no important, or not much activity.
3. Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing in particular.
4. Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.
5. Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.
6. (obsolete) Light-headed; foolish.
7. (transitive) To spend (time) in idleness; to waste; to consume.
8. (intransitive) To lose or spend time doing nothing, or without being employed in business.

Example Sentences

idle hours

My computer hibernates after it has been idle for 30 minutes.

The majority of accounts require no minimum balance and charge no monthly service fee. Where monthly fees and balance requirements exist, they're low. You earn no interest on the idle money in the account.

idle workmen

Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.

an idle fellow

“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, the worn-out, passionless men, the enervated matrons of the summer capital,[…]!”

an idle story;  idle talk;  idle rumor;  idle threats;  idle pleasures

Synonyms for idle

Antonyms for idle

Related Words

Word Forms

• more idle
• most idle
• idles
• idling
• idled

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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