idle
🇺🇸
/ˈaɪdl/
🇬🇧
/ˈaɪdl/
adjective
R
not working hard
The idle worker spent most of the day on his phone instead of working.
R
not being used
The machine stood idle for months without anyone using it.
R
without a job
Many people were idle during the economic crisis and couldn't find work.
R
having no real purpose or effect
It is idle to think we can finish this project in one day.
R
free time not spent working
During his idle hours, he enjoyed reading books and listening to music.
verb
R
to spend time doing nothing important
They idled away the afternoon playing games instead of studying.
R
to run slowly when not moving
The car engine continued to idle while waiting at the traffic light.
R
to stop work at a factory temporarily
The company had to idle the factory due to lack of materials.
translation
not working hard; not being used; without a job; having no real purpose or effect; free time not spent working
to spend time doing nothing important; to run slowly when not moving; to stop work at a factory temporarily
Word Forms
Comparative
idler
Superlative
idlest
3rd Present
idles
Progressive
idling
Past
idled
Perfect
idled