idle

adjective

UK /ˈaɪd(ə)l/

Word Forms

adjective	idle
comparative	idler
superlative	idlest

1
machines or factories that are idle are not being used
The extra power stations are idle when demand is lower.
stand/lie/sit idle:
Valuable machinery is left to lie idle for long periods.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe extent of use
at full stretch
devoted
disuse
Synonyms and related words
Describing machines and pieces of equipment
all-singing, all-dancing
analog
analogue
1. 1a
  workers who are idle have no work
  Many men were made idle as the mills closed down.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not busy and not working
  available
  quiet
  off-duty
2
lazy
Get upstairs and wake up that idle brother of yours.
You’re just bone idle, the lot of you.
Synonyms and related words
Lazy or slow to act
lazy
idle
indolent
1. 2a
  often in negativesnot doing anything, when there are things that you should do
  Don’t worry. I have not been idle while you were away.
  This country will not remain idle if its friends are attacked.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lazy or slow to act
  lazy
  idle
  indolent
3
only before nounwithout a good reason or real purpose
It was only from idle curiosity that she opened the book.
idle chatter/gossip
Synonyms and related words
Careless and casual
careless
casual
complacency
4
not really intended or not likely to have any result
idle threat:
It didn’t sound like an idle threat to me (=it was a real threat).
Synonyms and related words
Not effective or useful and not working correctly
useless
ineffective
inefficient

phrases

the idle rich

it would be idle to do something

idle

adjective

US /ˈaɪd(ə)l/

Word Forms

adjective	idle
comparative	idler
superlative	idlest

1
machines or factories that are idle are not being used
The extra power stations are idle when demand is lower.
stand/lie/sit idle:
Valuable machinery is left to lie idle for long periods.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe extent of use
at full stretch
devoted
disuse
Synonyms and related words
Describing machines and pieces of equipment
analog
at the touch of a button
automatic
1. 1a
  workers who are idle have no work to do
  Many men were made idle as the mills closed down.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not busy and not working
  available
  quiet
  off-duty
2
lazy
Go upstairs and wake up that idle brother of yours.
bone idle (=very lazy):
You’re just bone idle, all of you.
Synonyms and related words
Lazy or slow to act
lazy
idle
indolent
1. 2a
  often in negativesnot doing anything, when there are things that you should do
  Don’t worry. I have not been idle while you were away.
  This country will not remain idle if its friends are attacked.
  Synonyms and related words
  Lazy or slow to act
  lazy
  idle
  indolent
3
only before nounwithout a good reason or real purpose
It was only from idle curiosity that she opened the book.
idle chatter/gossip
Synonyms and related words
Careless and casual
careless
casual
complacency
4
not really intended or not likely to have any result
idle threat:
It didn’t sound like an idle threat to me (=it was a real threat).
Synonyms and related words
Not effective or useful and not working correctly
useless
pointless
ineffective

phrases

the idle rich

idle

verb intransitive/transitive

UK /ˈaɪd(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	idle
he/she/it	idles
present participle	idling
past tense	idled
past participle	idled

1
if an engine idles, it runs slowly and does not produce any movement
The taxi hummed in the road, motor idling, meter ticking over.
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behaviour
backfire
burn up
come to life

phrasal verbs

idle away

idle

verb

US /ˈaɪd(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	idle
he/she/it	idles
present participle	idling
past tense	idled
past participle	idled

1
intransitive/transitive if an engine idles, it runs slowly and does not produce any movement
The taxi hummed in the road, engine idling, meter ticking over.
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behavior
backfire
burn up
come to life
2
transitive to stop using factories or employing people, usually for a short period of time
Plant closures have led to skilled workers being idled.
Synonyms and related words
To stop something from continuing or developing
cut into
shut off
kill

phrasal verbs

idle away