idyll

noun

ˈī-dᵊl 

British usually ˈi-(ˌ)dil

variants or less commonly idyl

1

a

: a simple descriptive work in poetry or prose that deals with rustic life or pastoral scenes or suggests a mood of peace and contentment

b

: a narrative poem (such as Tennyson's Idylls of the King) treating an epic, romantic, or tragic theme

2

a

: a lighthearted carefree episode that is a fit subject for an idyll

b

: a romantic interlude

Synonyms of idyll

• spree

Examples of idyll in a Sentence

her year as a vineyard worker in the south of France was not the idyll that she had expected it to be

Recent Examples on the Web

Peppered with archival drawings of The Sea Ranch, quotations from the utopian community’s founding architects, and evocative family photographs, the document eloquently illuminates the Matases’ vision for their seaside idyll. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 15 Dec. 2025

But that sequence of prose idylls was the core of the collection. —Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025

The 1950s, mythologized by the New Right in its push for a more traditional social and economic order, were not an idyll. —Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025

Their romantic idyll, however, didn’t last. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin idyllium, from Greek eidyllion, from diminutive of eidos form; akin to Greek idein to see — more at wit

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for idyll

• bridal
• bridle
• idle
• idol
• seidel
• sidle
• tidal
• widal
• apsidal
• subtidal
• fratricidal
• fungicidal

Kids Definition

idyll

noun

variants also idyl

ˈīd-ᵊl 

1

: a simple poetic or prose work that describes peaceful country life

2

: a scene or event one might write an idyll about