idle

verb

idled; idling ˈī-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈīd-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to run at low power and often disconnected usually so that power is not used for useful work

the engine is idling

2

a

: to spend time in idleness

idling the day away

… most of the area idled in surface parking lots.

—John J. Flynn

b

: to move idly

transitive verb

1

: to pass in idleness

2

: to cause to idle

idled the engine

3

: to make idle

workers idled by a strike

Synonyms of idle

• lazy
• bum
• lounge
• rest
• chill
• laze
• dawdle
• play
• kill time
• relax
• veg out

Choose the Right Synonym for idle

idle, loaf, lounge, loll, laze mean to spend time doing nothing.

idle may be used in reference to persons that move lazily or without purpose.

idled the day away

loaf suggests either resting or wandering about as though there were nothing to do.

she does her work and then loafs the rest of the day

lounge, though occasionally used as equal to idle or loaf, typically conveys an additional implication of resting or reclining against a support or of physical comfort and ease in relaxation.

he lounged against the wall

loll also carries an implication of a posture similar to that of lounge, but places greater stress upon an indolent or relaxed attitude.

lolling on the couch

laze usually implies the relaxation of a busy person enjoying a vacation or moments of leisure.

lazed about between appointments

Examples of idle in a Sentence

She left the engine idling for a few seconds before she turned it off.

The cars idled in traffic.

A group of boys idled in the doorway.

The factory closed, idling several hundred workers.

Thousands of workers have been idled by the bad economy.

The factory has been idled by the strike.

Recent Examples on the Web

Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff. —Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026

His team closely monitors tire pressure on every bus and keeps a watchful eye on idling times. —CBS News, 2 June 2026

An emotionally disturbed man swiped an idling private ambulance off a Bronx street Thursday — taking the rescue vehicle on a short joyride before crashing it into a car, police said. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

Hardy reportedly kept production stalled by staying in his trailer for hours at a time, often leaving co-stars Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren idle on set. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

Phrases Containing idle

• idle rich
• idle threat

Rhymes for idle

• apsidal
• subtidal
• bactericidal
• insecticidal
• bridal
• bridle
• idol
• idyll
• seidel
• sidle
• tidal
• widal

Kids Definition

idle

1 of 2 adjective

ˈīd-ᵊl 

idler ˈīd-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

; idlest ˈīd-ləst 

-ᵊl-əst

1

: having no worth or basis

idle rumors

idle chatter

2

: not being used or employed

idle workers

idle factories

idle hours

3

: lazy sense 1

idleness

ˈīd-ᵊl-nəs 

noun

idly

ˈīd-lē 

-ᵊl-ē

adverb

idle

2 of 2 verb

idled; idling ˈīd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to spend time doing nothing

2

: to run without being connected for doing useful work

left the engine idling

idler

ˈīd-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun