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    Idle

    /ˈaɪdəl/

    Meaning & Definition

    verb
    To spend time doing nothing; to wait around.
    He idled away the hours watching television.
    adjective
    Not active or not in use; doing nothing.
    After finishing his project, he spent an idle afternoon reading a book.
    Inactive; not having any effect or purpose.
    The machinery sat idle during the power outage.
    Without purpose or effect; pointless.
    They engaged in idle chatter while waiting for the movie to start.

    Etymology

    Old English 'īdeles', meaning 'empty, void'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    idle hands are the devil's workshop:
    A saying suggesting that inactivity can lead to mischief.
    idle chatter:
    Conversations that are trivial or unimportant.
    to be idle:
    To not do any work or activity.

    Related Words

    idleness
    The state of being idle; laziness.
    idly
    In an idle manner; without work or activity.
    idlewild
    A place or state being wild or untamed, often with no specific purpose.

    Slang Meanings

    Laid back; relaxed.
    He was feeling really idle today, just lounging around.
    Doing nothing in a casual way.
    We spent the whole afternoon just being idle at the beach.