B1adjective3K

UK//ˈaɪ.dl//US//ˈaɪ.dl//

Meaning of Idle

Not active or in use.

In simple words: Not active or working

Idle in a sentence

  • He spent the whole weekend idle at home.
  • The factory has been idle since last month.
  • She felt idle without any work to do.
  • Don't just sit there idle; help me with this!
  • The car was left idle in the driveway.

How to use Idle

Use 'idle' to describe something or someone that is not busy. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but may sound slightly negative.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'idle' as 'in a dull'. Imagine someone just sitting there, not doing anything.

Related words

Collocations with Idle

  • idle chatter
  • idle thoughts
  • idle hands

Synonyms for Idle

Opposites of Idle

Common mistakes with Idle

  • Confused with 'idel' which is not a word.
  • Using 'idle' to describe something that is not cool or interesting, when 'boring' would be better.

Compare Idle with Inactive, Lazy

Idle appears in

Idle in other languages

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Frequently asked questions about Idle

What does Idle mean?

Not active or working

What is the definition of Idle?

Not active or in use.

How do you use Idle in a sentence?

He spent the whole weekend idle at home.

Can you give another example of Idle?

The factory has been idle since last month.

What are synonyms for Idle?

Common alternatives include inactive, lazy, fallow, unused, dormant.

What is the opposite of Idle?

Opposite meanings include active, busy, employed.

What words go with Idle?

It commonly pairs with idle chatter, idle thoughts, idle hands.

What are common mistakes when using Idle?

Confused with 'idel' which is not a word. Using 'idle' to describe something that is not cool or interesting, when 'boring' would be better.

How do you pronounce Idle?

US: //ˈaɪ.dl//, UK: //ˈaɪ.dl//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Idle?

Use 'idle' to describe something or someone that is not busy. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but may sound slightly negative.

What CEFR level is Idle?

"Idle" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.