Main Entry: ¹idle

Pronunciation: \ˈī-d^əl\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): idler \ˈīd-lər, ˈī-d^əl-ər\; idlest \ˈīd-ləst, ˈī-d^əl-əst\

Etymology: Middle English idel, from Old English īdel; akin to Old High German ītal worthless

Date: before 12th century

1 : lacking worth or basis : vain <idle chatter> <idle pleasure>
2 : not occupied or employed: as a : having no employment : inactive <idle workers> b : not turned to normal or appropriate use <idle farmland> c : not scheduled to compete <the team will be idle tomorrow>
3 a : shiftless, lazy b : having no evident lawful means of support

synonyms see vain, inactive

— idle·ness \ˈī-d^əl-nəs\ noun

— idly \ˈīd-lē, ˈī-d^əl-ē\ adverb