OpenSynonym

idle

/ˈaɪdəl/

ADJECTIVE

1. Not active or in use

Not currently operating, functioning, occupied, or being used for its intended purpose.

1.1. Inactive machines and equipment

Describes machines, engines, devices, or equipment that are not operating or performing their intended functions at a particular time.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The factory has several idle machines waiting to be repaired.
  • Leaving the engine idle for too long may cause maintenance problems.
  • The equipment remained idle throughout the weekend.

Related Words

1.2. Unoccupied spaces and resources

Describes spaces, facilities, resources, or property that are vacant, unoccupied, or available but not currently being used.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The company plans to rent out its idle office space.
  • Several idle buildings remain unused in the industrial area.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

2. Not engaged in work or activity

Not occupied with work, employment, or any particular activity; spending time without doing anything productive or purposeful.

2.1. Unemployed or without work

Describes people who are not currently employed, assigned work, or engaged in occupational activities.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • Many workers remained idle after the factory temporarily closed.
  • The company hired additional staff to ensure that no employee was left idle.

Related Words

2.2. Doing nothing or being unoccupied

Describes people who are not participating in any particular activity, task, or productive pursuit and are simply passing the time.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The children became restless after sitting idle all afternoon.
  • She never likes to remain idle when there are useful things to do.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

3. Avoiding work or showing unwillingness to work

Unwilling to work or make an effort; characterized by laziness, inactivity, or a lack of diligence.

3.1. Lazy or unwilling to work

Describes people who habitually avoid work, make little effort, or show reluctance to perform necessary tasks.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • His idle attitude eventually affected the entire team's performance.
  • The manager warned the idle employees to take their responsibilities seriously.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

4. Without purpose, value, or practical effect

Having no useful purpose, meaningful result, or practical value; being pointless, ineffective, or futile.

4.1. Useless or unproductive efforts

Describes actions, efforts, or activities that produce no useful results or fail to achieve their intended purpose.

Synonyms

  • futile
  • fruitless
  • useless
  • unavailing
  • ineffectual
  • ineffective
  • pointless
  • unproductive
  • bootless

Antonyms

  • effective
  • productive
  • successful
  • useful
  • fruitful
  • worthwhile

Examples

  • All their idle efforts to change his mind proved unsuccessful.
  • The negotiations became an idle exercise with no practical outcome.

Related Words

4.2. Baseless or unfounded claims

Describes statements, promises, accusations, or speculation that lack a reasonable basis, supporting evidence, or serious intention.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The police dismissed the idle rumors circulating about the investigation.
  • His idle threats failed to frighten anyone.

Related Words

4.3. Trivial or unimportant matters

Describes matters, concerns, or activities that have little significance, importance, or practical consequence.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • They spent hours discussing idle gossip instead of addressing the real problem.
  • The committee refused to waste time on idle speculation.

Related Words

  • triviality
  • insignificance
  • frivolity
  • irrelevance
  • unimportance

ADJECTIVE

5. Not serious or sensible

Lacking seriousness, thoughtfulness, or sound judgment; foolish or frivolous.

5.1. Foolish or thoughtless behavior

Describes remarks, behavior, or actions that are careless, silly, or lacking serious consideration.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • He made an idle remark without considering how it might affect others.
  • Her idle threats were dismissed as foolish talk.

Related Words

  • foolishness
  • frivolity
  • carelessness
  • poor judgment
  • irresponsibility

VERB

6. To spend time doing nothing

To pass time without engaging in productive work or meaningful activity.

6.1. Passing time without working

Describes spending time doing little or nothing, rather than engaging in work or purposeful activity.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • work
  • labor
  • toil
  • busy oneself
  • exert oneself
  • keep occupied

Examples

  • The workers idled around while waiting for new instructions.
  • He spent the afternoon idling in the garden.

Related Words

6.2. Wasting or frittering away time

Describes allowing time to pass without achieving anything useful, often through unnecessary delays or unproductive activities.

Synonyms

  • waste time
  • dawdle
  • dally
  • fritter away
  • procrastinate
  • loaf
  • dilly-dally

Antonyms

  • use time productively
  • work
  • proceed
  • act
  • make progress

Examples

  • Stop idling and finish the assignment before the deadline.
  • They idled away the morning chatting instead of preparing for the presentation.

Related Words

  • time-wasting
  • procrastination
  • delay
  • distraction
  • inefficiency

VERB

7. To run an engine at low speed without driving or performing useful work

To operate an engine at a low speed while the vehicle or machine remains stationary or is not performing its main function.

7.1. Engine running while stationary

Describes an engine operating at its normal low-speed setting while a vehicle is stopped or the machine is not actively being used.

Synonyms

  • run at low speed
  • tick over
  • run without load

Antonyms

Examples

  • The driver idled the car while waiting for his passenger.
  • Modern vehicles consume fuel even when they idle at traffic lights.

Related Words

  • engine
  • motor
  • revolutions per minute
  • fuel consumption
  • stationary vehicle