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idle

i·dle

idle

 
 
pronunciation:
aI dl
parts of speech:
adjective, verb
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, verb), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: idler, idlest
definition 1: not active or in use; not working.
The factory sat idle after the company went out of business.
synonyms:
dormant, unemployed
antonyms:
busy, employed, working
similar words:
sleepy, vacant
definition 2: wanting to avoid work; lazy.
The idle students never finished their work.
synonyms:
lazy
antonyms:
active, industrious
similar words:
inert, slack, sluggish
definition 3: having little or no use or value.
For some people, video games are an idle activity.
synonyms:
frivolous, petty, shallow, trivial
antonyms:
meaningful, serious
similar words:
insignificant, slight, useless
definition 4: having no basis in fact; not true.
An idle rumor spread through the school.
synonyms:
empty, worthless
antonyms:
proven
similar words:
hollow, insignificant
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: idles, idling, idled
definition 1: to pass time in not working or in avoiding work.
She idled away the weekend.
synonyms:
loaf, loll, lounge
definition 2: to run an engine out of gear without causing motion.
The car idled in the driveway.
similar words:
run
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: idly (adv.), idleness (n.)
Homophone Note
The words idle and idol (a statue) sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Explorer
See
  car, leisure