idle

I UK [ˈaɪd(ə)l] / US adjective
Word forms "idle":
adjective idle comparative idler superlative idlest

1)

a) machines or factories that are idle are not being used

The extra power stations are idle when demand is lower.

stand/lie/sit idle:

Valuable machinery is left to lie idle for long periods.

b) workers who are idle have no work

Many men were made idle as the mills closed down.

2)

a) lazy

Get upstairs and wake up that idle brother of yours.

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

b) [often in negatives] not doing anything, when there are things that you should do

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

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

3) [only before noun] without a good reason or real purpose

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

idle chatter/gossip

4) not really intended or not likely to have any result

idle threat:

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

•

- the idle rich

- it would be idle to do something

See:

bone idle

Derived word:
idleness
noun uncountable
II UK [ˈaɪd(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive/transitive]
Word forms "idle":
present tense I/you/we/they idle he/she/it idles present participle idling past tense idled past participle idled

if an engine idles, it runs slowly and does not produce any movement

The taxi hummed in the road, motor idling, meter ticking over.

Phrasal verbs:

- idle away