idle
idle Lexical Profile
idle Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not active or in use; not employed or occupied.
"Several assembly lines at the manufacturing plant remained idle during the supply shortage."
Avoiding work; habitually lazy or indolent.
"The supervisor reprimanded the idle apprentices for wasting the entire morning."
Without purpose, basis, or practical effect; pointless or groundless.
"She ignored the idle gossip circulating in the office and focused on her research."
• verb
To spend time doing nothing or avoiding purposeful activity.
"They idled away the warm afternoon on the porch listening to the rain."
To run slowly out of gear without transmitting power (of an engine or motor).
"The delivery truck idled at the curb while the driver unloaded the packages."
To cause a factory, machine, or group of workers to become inactive or unemployed.
"The sudden drop in demand idled two regional assembly plants for a month."
• noun
The state or speed of an engine running slowly while disconnected from a load or out of gear.
"The mechanic adjusted the carburetor so the engine would maintain a smooth idle."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'idle' (meaning inactive, unoccupied, or pointless) with its homophones 'idol' (an image of worship or an admired person) and 'idyll' (a peaceful, picturesque scene or poem).
• Rhymes for idle
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'īdel', meaning 'empty, void, or useless', of West Germanic origin and related to Dutch 'ijdel' (vain) and German 'eitel' (conceited).