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Definition of idler

idler

/ˈaɪd.lɚ/
id · ler
Adverb:idly
•
Plural:idlers
•
Adjective:idle
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idler Lexical Profile

idler Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who avoids work or spends time doing nothing productive.

Example

"The strict supervisor had little patience for any idler who lingered in the break room during busy hours."

2

A gear or wheel that transmits motion between two other gears or maintains tension on a belt without altering the output speed.

Example

"The mechanic replaced the worn idler to keep the timing belt properly tensioned."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for idler

• Nearby Words

idiotproof
idle
idleness
idler
idly
idol
idolater

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in late Middle English from the verb 'idle' (derived from Old English 'īdel', meaning empty, useless, or vain) and the agentive suffix '-er'. The mechanical sense emerged in the late 19th century, referring to a gear or pulley that rotates freely without doing direct work.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Idler. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/idler
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