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

• lark
• fling
• romp
• enjoyment
• revel
• gambol
• spree
• frolic
• rollick
• pleasure
• escapade
• festivity
• ploy
• frisk

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

This idyll on the banks of the Hudson, alas, cannot last, and the son inherits his father’s appetite for action with interest. —Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

But his last two years proved anything but an idyll. —Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

The 70-year-old star has always swung for the fences — often literally, in pastoral baseball idylls like Bull Durham and Field of Dreams — with bold, risky choices. —Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025

The idyll sometimes feels literally haunted. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 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