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Definitions

idle

[ahyd-l] / ˈaɪd l /
ADJECTIVE
worthless, ineffective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
empty unproductive useless
STRONG
hollow rambling
WEAK
abortive bootless frivolous fruitless futile groundless insignificant irrelevant not serious nugatory of no avail otiose pointless superficial trivial unavailing unhelpful unnecessary unsuccessful vain
Antonyms
WEAK
active ambitious busy diligent effective employed hustling important productive used working worthwhile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Four U.A.E. flags fluttered from the roof in the afternoon breeze, while a small fleet of roughly two dozen school buses stood idle beside the compound.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Uploads and downloads were fast and didn’t idle.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

While it cannot be substituted directly in LNG plants, countries can run existing coal power plants at a higher capacity or bring idle units back online.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

With each essay, I peel off the layer of idle ease that is the A.I. generation and see what remains: only hints of a life, of a story, of a human.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Feeling a pleased importance, Ranofer led the way across the sun-warmed pavement to an idle furnace.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw