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Definition of idyll

idyll

/ˈaɪ.dɪl/
i · dyll
Adverb:idyllically
•
Plural:idylls
•
Adjective:idyllic
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idyll Lexical Profile

idyll Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode, period, or scene, typically an idealized or unsustainable one.

Example

"Their summer at the lakeside cottage was a rural idyll that they remembered fondly for years."

2

A short poem or prose work describing a picturesque, pastoral, or romantic scene, or an episode of rural life.

Example

"The ancient Greek poet Theocritus is celebrated for composing classical idylls depicting the lives of shepherds."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'idyll' (a peaceful or picturesque scene) with its homophone 'idle' (inactive or lazy) or 'idol' (an object of worship or admiration).

• Nearby Words

idolize
idolizer
idria
idyll
idyllic
idyllically
if

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Latin 'idyllium', from Ancient Greek 'eidyllion' (little picture or short descriptive poem), a diminutive of 'eidos' (form, shape, or picture).

Cite this Entry

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