idle

Pronunciation

• enPR: īʹd(ə)l, IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪd(ə)l/
• SAMPA: /"aId(@)l/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: idol, idyll, idyl

Adjective

Positive idle

Comparative more idle

Superlative most idle

1. If someone is idle, they are not active or working.
   • Synonym: lazy
   • Antonyms: active and busy

   The idle workers are going to be replaced by more ambitious employees.

Verb

Plain form idle

Third-person singular idles

Past tense idled

Past participle idled

Present participle idling

1. If a car is idle, it is on but is not moving.

   Jack left his car idling while went inside the store to get bread.

   In the winter, I let my car idle for a few minutes before driving so the engine can warm up a bit.