Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense idles, present participle idling, past tense, past participle idled
1. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If people who were working are idle, they have no jobs or work.
Employees have been idle almost a month because of shortages.
Synonyms: unoccupied, unemployed, redundant, jobless More Synonyms of idle
2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If machines or factories are idle, they are not working or being used.
Now the machine is lying idle.
...factories that had been idle for years.
Synonyms: unused, stationary, inactive, out of order More Synonyms of idle
3. adjective
If you say that someone is idle, you disapprove of them because they are not doing anything and you think they should be.
[disapproval]
...idle bureaucrats who spent the day reading newspapers.
I never met such an idle bunch of workers in all my life!
Synonyms: lazy, slow, slack, sluggish More Synonyms of idle
idlenessuncountable noun
Idleness is a very bad thing for human nature.
Synonyms: loafing, inertia, sloth, pottering More Synonyms of idle
Synonyms: inactivity, unemployment, leisure, inaction More Synonyms of idle
idlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
We were not idly sitting around.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Idle is used to describe something that you do for no particular reason, often because you have nothing better to do.
Brian kept up the idle chatter for another five minutes.
...idle curiosity.
Synonyms: trivial, superficial, insignificant, frivolous More Synonyms of idle
idlyadverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
We talked idly about magazines and baseball.
'Has there been an accident?' Gary asked, idly curious.
Synonyms: lazily, casually, passively, languidly More Synonyms of idle
5. adjective [it v-link ADJ to-inf]
If you say that it is idleto do something, you mean that it is not worth doing it, because it will not achieve anything.
It would be idle to pretend the system is perfect.
Synonyms: useless, vain, pointless, hopeless More Synonyms of idle
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You refer to an idle threat or boast when you do not think the person making it will or can do what they say.
It was more of an idle threat than anything.
His statement isn't merely an idle boast.
Synonyms: empty, useless, hollow, vain More Synonyms of idle
7. verb
If you idle, you spend time in a lazy way, doing nothing in particular.
When they reached his house, Scobie idled a bit, finishing his cigarette. [VERB]
We spent many hours idling in one of the cafes that line three sides of the tinypiazza. [VERB]
He idled around afterwards, window shopping until about 5pm. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Synonyms: do nothing, slack, hang out [informal], languish More Synonyms of idle
8. verb
To idle a factory or other place of work means to close it down because there is no work to do or because the workers are on strike.
[US, business]
...idled assembly plants. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]regional note: in BRIT, usually use shut down
9. verb
To idle workers means to stop them working.
[US, business]
The strike has idled about 55,000 machinists. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, use lay off
10. verb
If an engine or vehicle is idling, the engine is running slowly and quietly because it is not in gear, and the vehicle is not moving.
Beyond a stand of trees a small plane idled. [VERB]
Her Daimler limo waits with its engine idling. [VERB]
Synonyms: tick over, be in neutral More Synonyms of idle
Phrasal verbs:
See idle away
More Synonyms of idle
idle in British English
(ˈaɪdəl)
adjective
1.
unemployed or unoccupied; inactive
2.
not operating or being used
3.
(of money) not being used to earn interest or dividends
4.
not wanting to work; lazy
5. (usually prenominal)
frivolous or trivial
idle pleasures
6.
ineffective or powerless; fruitless; vain
7.
without basis; unfounded
verb
8. (whentr, often foll by away)
to waste or pass (time) fruitlessly or inactively
he idled the hours away
9. (intransitive)
to loiter or move aimlessly
10. (intransitive)
(of a shaft, engine, etc) to turn without doing useful work
11. (intransitive)
(of an engine) to run at low speed with the transmission disengaged
Also (Brit): tick over
12. (transitive) US and Canadian
to cause to be inactive or unemployed
Derived forms
idleness (ˈidleness)
noun
idly (ˈidly)
adverb
Word origin
Old English īdel; compare Old High German ītal empty, vain
idle in American English
(ˈaɪdəl)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈidler or ˈidlest
1.
a.
having no value, use, or significance; worthless; useless
idle talk
b.
vain; futile; pointless
an idle wish
2.
baseless; unfounded
idle rumors
3.
a.
unemployed; not busy
b.
inactive; not in use
idle machines
c.
not filled with activity
idle hours
4.
not inclined to work; lazy
5.
designating certain parts of a fuel system that set an engine's idling speed
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈidled or ˈidling
6.
to move slowly or aimlessly; loaf
7.
to spend time unprofitably; be unemployed or inactive
8.
to operate without transmitting power; esp., to operate a motor vehicle's engine while the vehicle is not moving
verb transitive
9.
to waste; squander
usually with away
to idle away one's youth
10.
to cause (a motor, etc.) to idle
11.
to cause to be inactive or unemployed
noun
12.
the state or act of idling
an engine at idle
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈloiter, vain
Derived forms
idleness (ˈidleness)
noun
idly (ˈidly)
adverb
Word origin
ME idel < OE, empty, akin to Ger eitel, vain, empty < ? IE base *ai-dh, to burn, shine: basic sense, either “only apparent, seeming” or “burned out”
idle in Mechanical Engineering
(aɪdəl)
Word forms: (present) idles, (past) idled, (perfect) idled, (progressive) idling
verb
(Mechanical engineering: General)
If an engine or shaft idles, it turns without doing anything useful, for example moving a vehicle forward or making another part move.
Let the engine idle for a few minutes after coming to a stop, then shut it down and let it cool.
A control program puts the car in neutral when it is idling, even when the gear selector is in another position.
If an engine or shaft idles, it turns without doing anything useful, for example moving a vehicle forward ormaking another part move.
Examples of 'idle' in a sentence
idle
His players must now ensure it is a promise and not just an idle threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It was no idle threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The problem can also happen when the engine is idling.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What the posters proclaimed was no idle boast.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Another sanction might seem an idle threat but is not.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Some motorists are already keeping their vehicles idling overnight to stop them freezing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was idling a bit but he deserved this.
The Sun (2015)
They are too busy for idle chatter.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Motorists will be urged to drive outside busy times and turn off their engines when idling.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It was more than an idle boast.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The many unemployed people idle away the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Reducing the time vehicles are idling is also a focus of attention.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The question is not asked out of idle curiosity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Anyone caught parked with an idling engine can also be fined.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
At times this has seemed an idle boast.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
How about inviting a man out and idling away an hour over a cup of coffee?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is not an idle threat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That's the space all this idle gear fills.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Some would seek his presents but not his presence, following him around out of idle curiosity.
Christianity Today (2000)
The size of the workforce has to be managed to keep pace with business trends rather than have highly paid recruiters sitting around idle.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Such is the singer's perfect pitch and easy sensuality that she appeared to be idling in second gear for much of this show.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What actually happened was that the engines were reduced in power (they were almost idling when she hit).
Gunston, Bill Plane Speaking - a personal view of aviation history (1991)
Am I to go about smiling and content with all this talk about you, passing from one idle gossip to another?
Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)
Quotations
As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted oceanSamuel Taylor ColeridgeThe Ancient Mariner
It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to doJerome K. JeromeIdle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow
Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to doIsaac WattsDivine Songs for Children
We would all be idle if we couldSamuel Johnson
It is better to have loafed and lost than never to have loafed at allJames ThurberFables For Our Time
In other languages
idle
British English: idle /ˈaɪdl/ ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as idle you disapprove of them not doing anything when they should be doing something.
The shops are full of idle staff.
American English: idle
Arabic: كَسُولٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: inativo
Chinese: 懒惰的
Croatian: besposlen
Czech: nečinný
Danish: ledig
Dutch: inactief
European Spanish: ocioso
Finnish: joutilas
French: oisif
German: untätig
Greek: αδρανής
Italian: pigro
Japanese: 何もしない
Korean: 놀고 있는
Norwegian: uvirksom
Polish: bezczynny
European Portuguese: inativo
Romanian: inactiv
Russian: бездельничающий
Latin American Spanish: ocioso
Swedish: sysslolös
Thai: เกียจคร้าน
Turkish: boş insan
Ukrainian: ледачий
Vietnamese: nhàn rỗi
All related terms of 'idle'
bone idle
very idle ; extremely lazy
idle away
If you idle away a period of time, you spend it doing very little.
idle time
time during which a machine or a worker could be working but is not, as when one job has been completed and tooling or materials for the next are not complete or available
idle pulley
a freely rotating trolley used to control the tension or direction of a belt
idle speed
The idle speed of an engine is its speed when it has no load and is on a minimum throttle setting .
idle wheel
a gearwheel interposed between two others to transmit torque without changing the direction of rotation to the velocity ratio
idle curiosity
Curiosity is a desire to know about something.
idler
If you describe someone as an idler , you are criticizing them because you think they are lazy and should be working.
⇒ This is no idle threat.这不是随便说说吓唬人的。 (Zhè bù shì suíbiàn shuōshuō xiàhu rén de.)
[machinery, factory]闲(閒)置的 (xiánzhì de)
[worker]无(無)所事事的 (wú suǒ shì shì de)
vi
[machine, engine]闲(閒)置 (xiánzhì)
to lie or stand idle[factory, machinery]被搁(擱)置不用 (bèi gēzhì bù yòng)
1 (adjective)
Definition
not doing anything
Employees have been idle for almost a month now.
Synonyms
unoccupied
Portraits of unoccupied youths predominate.
unemployed
Have you been unemployed for over six months?
redundant
a redundant miner
jobless
One in four people are now jobless in inner areas like Tottenham.
out of work
a town where half the residents are out of work
out of action
inactive
He has been inactive since last year.
at leisure
between jobs
unwaged
at a loose end
They're most likely to get into trouble when they're at a loose end.
Opposites
working
,
employed
,
active
,
busy
,
occupied
,
energetic
,
industrious
2 (adjective)
Definition
not operating or being used
Now the machine is lying idle.
Synonyms
unused
stationary
inactive
The satellite has been inactive since its launch two years ago.
out of order
ticking over
gathering dust
mothballed
out of service
The photocopier is out of service today.
out of action or operation
3 (adjective)
Definition
not wanting to work
I've never met such an idle bunch of workers!
Synonyms
lazy
I was too lazy to learn how to read music.
slow
He moved in a slow, unhurried way.
slack
busy times and slack periods
sluggish
feeling sluggish and lethargic after a big meal
lax
One of the problems is lax security for airport personnel.
negligent
inactive
They certainly were not politically inactive.
inert
He covered the inert body with a blanket
lethargic
He felt too miserable and lethargic to get dressed.
indolent
indolent teenagers who won't lift a finger to help
lackadaisical
Dr. Jonsen seemed a little lackadaisical at times.
good-for-nothing
remiss (formal)
I would be remiss if I did not do something about it.
workshy
slothful (formal)
He was not slothful: he had been busy all night.
shiftless
a shiftless husband
Opposites
working
,
employed
,
active
,
busy
,
occupied
,
operative
,
functional
4 (adjective)
Definition
ineffective or useless
It would be idle to pretend the system is worthless.
Synonyms
useless
He realised that their money was useless in this country.
vain
pointless
Violence is always pointless.
hopeless
I don't believe your situation is as hopeless as you think.
unsuccessful
a second unsuccessful operation on his knee
ineffective
Reform will continue to be painful and ineffective.
worthless
Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works.
futile
a futile attempt to ward off the blow
fruitless
It was a fruitless search.
unproductive
They are aware much of their time and effort is unproductive.
abortive
an abortive attempt to prevent him from taking office
ineffectual
the well-meaning but ineffectual jobs programs of the past
groundless
of no use
valueless
disadvantageous
unavailing
a brave but unavailing fight against a terminal illness
otiose
of no avail
profitless
a singularly profitless line of thought
bootless
Opposites
effective
,
useful
,
profitable
,
worthwhile
,
fruitful
,
advantageous
5 (adjective)
Definition
frivolous or trivial
He kept up the idle chatter for another five minutes.
Synonyms
trivial
superficial
a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever
insignificant
In 1949 it was still a small, insignificant city.
frivolous
I was a bit too frivolous to be a doctor.
silly
That's a silly thing to say.
unnecessary
irrelevant
foolish
It would be foolish to raise hopes unnecessarily.
unhelpful
flippant
She dismissed it as a flippant comment.
puerile
puerile schoolboy humour
flighty
ill-considered
empty-headed
They had misjudged me as empty-headed and dim.
nugatory
They wrote for the magazine for fees that were either non-existent or nugatory.
Opposites
important
,
meaningful
6 (adjective)
Definition
without basis
It was more of an idle threat than anything.
Synonyms
empty
Without my friends my life would be lonely and empty.
useless
hollow
Any threat to bring in the police is a hollow one.
vain
They worked all night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule.
trivial
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.
pointless
worthless
This piece of old junk is totally worthless.
trifling
The guests had each paid £250, no trifling sum.
insignificant
senseless
inconsequential
a reminder of how inconsequential their lives were
aimless
After several hours of aimless driving they were getting low on fuel.
insubstantial
valueless
I felt my existence was totally valueless.
purposeless
Time may be wasted in purposeless meetings.
1 (verb)
Definition
to waste or pass (time) in idleness
He idled the time away in dreamy thought.
Synonyms
fritter
while
waste
fool
lounge
They ate and drank and lounged in the shade.
potter
She was pottering around in the garden.
loaf
She studied, and I just loafed around.
dally
He did not dally long over his meal.
loiter
unemployed young men loitering at the entrance to the factory.
dawdle
They dawdled arm in arm past the shopfronts.
laze
Fred lazed in an easy chair.
2 (verb)
We spent many hours idling in cafés.
Synonyms
do nothing
slack
He had never let a foreman see him slacking.
hang out (informal)
languish
take it easy
shirk
He was sacked for shirking.
stagnate
His career had stagnated.
mark time
kill time
skive (British, slang)
The company treated me as though I were skiving.
vegetate
He spends all his time vegetating in front of the TV.
sit back and do nothing
veg out (slang)
kick your heels
bludge (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
He was sacked for bludging on the job.
slow down
bob off (British, slang)
3 (verb)
They idled along looking at things.
Synonyms
drift
I let my attention drift.
wander
He wandered aimlessly around the garden.
meander
We meandered along the Irish country roads.
coast
I slipped into neutral gear and coasted down the slope.
float
barges floating quietly by the grassy river banks
stray
She could not keep her eyes from straying towards him.
go aimlessly
4 (verb)
Definition
(of an engine) to run at low speed without transmitting any power
Her limo waited with its engine idling.
Synonyms
tick over
He sat in the car with the engine ticking over.
be in neutral
Quotations
As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean [Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Ancient Mariner]It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do [Jerome K. Jerome – Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow]Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do [Isaac Watts – Divine Songs for Children]We would all be idle if we could [Samuel Johnson]It is better to have loafed and lost than never to have loafed at all [James Thurber – Fables For Our Time]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abortive
Definition
failing to achieve its purpose
an abortive attempt to prevent him from taking office
Synonyms
failed,
failing,
useless,
vain,
unsuccessful,
idle,
ineffective,
futile,
fruitless,
unproductive,
ineffectual,
miscarried,
unavailing,
bootless
in the sense of aimless
Definition
having no purpose or direction
After several hours of aimless driving they were getting low on fuel.
Synonyms
purposeless,
random,
stray,
pointless,
erratic,
wayward,
frivolous,
chance,
goalless,
haphazard,
vagrant,
directionless,
unguided,
undirected
in the sense of at a loose end
Definition
bored because one has nothing to do
They're most likely to get into trouble when they're at a loose end.