idle

/'aidl/

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The word "idle" is an adjective that describes a state of being inactive or not engaged in any work or activity. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand it better:

Basic Meaning:

1. Not Working: When someone is idle, they do not have a job or are not doing anything productive.

   • Example: "Many people in the area were idle and looking for work."

2. Not in Use: It can also refer to things that are not being used, like machinery or equipment.

   • Example: "The machinery sat idle during the strike."

3. Silly or Trivial Talk: "Idle" can describe conversations that are not serious or meaningful.

   • Example: "They engaged in idle chatter about the weather."

Word Variants:

• Noun: "Idleness" refers to the state of being idle.
  • Example: "Idleness can lead to boredom."
• Verb: "Idle" can also be used as a verb, meaning to spend time doing nothing.
  • Example: "He idled away the afternoon watching TV."

Advanced Usage:

• You might hear "idle" used in phrases like "idle hands," which suggests that when people have nothing to do, they may get into trouble.
  • Example: "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

Different Meanings:

• Idle Fears: This means worries or fears that are unfounded or without reason.

  • Example: "His idle fears about the storm kept him awake all night."

• Idle Rich: Refers to wealthy people who do not work.

  • Example: "The idle rich often spend their time on leisure activities."

Synonyms:

• Unemployed
• Inactive
• Lazy
• Unproductive
• Resting

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Idle talk": Meaningless conversation or gossip.
• "To sit idle": To remain inactive or do nothing.
  • Example: "She can’t just sit idle while there’s work to be done."

Summary:

In summary, "idle" describes a lack of activity or work, whether referring to people, machines, or conversations. It can carry both a negative connotation (as in laziness) and a neutral one (as in machinery not in use).

Academic

Adjective

1. not having a job
   • idle carpenters
   • jobless transients
   • many people in the area were out of work
2. not yielding a return
   • dead capital
   • idle funds
3. lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility
   • idle talk
   • a loose tongue
4. silly or trivial
   • idle pleasure
   • light banter
   • light idle chatter
5. not in active use
   • the machinery sat idle during the strike
   • idle hands
6. without a basis in reason or fact
   • baseless gossip
   • the allegations proved groundless
   • idle fears
   • unfounded suspicions
   • unwarranted jealousy
7. not in action or at work
   • an idle laborer
   • idle drifters
   • the idle rich
   • an idle mind

Noun

1. the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
   • the car engine was running at idle

Verb

1. be idle; exist in a changeless situation
   • The old man sat and stagnated on his porch
   • He slugged in bed all morning
2. run disconnected or idle
   • the engine is idling

Synonyms

• jobless
• out of work
• dead
• loose
• light
• unused
• baseless
• groundless
• unfounded
• unwarranted
• wild
• laze
• slug
• stagnate
• tick over