B1adjective 3K

Idle

UK //ˈaɪ.dl// US //ˈaɪ.dl// Pronunciation

Definition

Not active or in use.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Not active or working

Examples

• 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.

Usage notes

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.

Collocations

• idle chatter
• idle thoughts
• idle hands

Synonyms

• inactive
• lazy
• fallow
• unused
• dormant

Antonyms

• active
• busy
• employed

Common mistakes

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