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Idle
Definitions
(4)
1
adjective
Not
active
or
in
use
;
not
working
or
being
used
.
The
factory
has
been
idle
for
several
months
.
She
spent
the
afternoon
in
idle
relaxation
.
The
car
sat
idle
in
the
driveway
.
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2
adjective
Lazy
or
avoiding
work
;
not
willing
to
be
active
.
He
was
criticized
for
being
idle
and
not
contributing
to
the
team
.
She
felt
guilty
for
being
idle
while
others
were
working
hard
.
The
idle
student
did
not
complete
his
assignments
.
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3
adjective
Without
purpose
or
effect
;
pointless
.
They
engaged
in
idle
chatter
during
the
meeting
.
His
idle
threats
did
not
scare
anyone
.
The
conversation
was
idle
and
led
nowhere
.
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4
verb
To
spend
time
doing
nothing
or
avoiding
work
.
He
idled
away
the
afternoon
by
the
lake
.
The
workers
idled
during
the
lunch
break
.
She
idled
in
the
garden
,
enjoying
the
sunshine
.
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Word games
Word Origin
Language
Old English
Original word
īdel
Originally meant
empty, useless
Background
The word 'idle' comes from Old English 'īdel', meaning empty or useless. It has been used in English since before the 12th century to describe things that are not in use or people who are not working.