Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition idle in British English

idle adjective

adjective
/ˈaɪd(ə)l/
1

machines or factories that are idle are not being used

Example

The extra power stations are idle when demand is lower.

Example

Valuable machinery is left to lie idle for long periods.

1.1

workers who are idle have no work

Example

Many men were made idle as the mills closed down.

Synonyms and related words
available quiet off-duty
2

lazy

Example

Get upstairs and wake up that idle brother of yours.

Example

You're just bone idle, the lot of you.

Synonyms and related words
lazy idle indolent
2.1

not doing anything, when there are things that you should do

Example

Don't worry. I have not been idle while you were away.

Example

This country will not remain idle if its friends are attacked.

Synonyms and related words
lazy idle indolent
3

without a good reason or real purpose

Example

It was only from idle curiosity that she opened the book.

Example

idle chatter/gossip

Synonyms and related words
careless casual complacency
4

not really intended or not likely to have any result

Example

It didn't sound like an idle threat to me (=it was a real threat).

Synonyms and related words
useless ineffective inefficient
Definition idle in British English