Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

idly

[ahyd-lee] / ˈaɪd li /
ADVERB
lazily
Synonyms


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.

See Examples For:

This isn’t to say the Rays and Brewers sat idly over the past few days.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 4, 2026

Still, the EU is not standing back idly.

From BBC Jun. 5, 2026

He now spends the long hours idly scrolling through his phone or chatting with neighbours.

From Barron's May 4, 2026

Maybe it is plainly shameful to sit idly by, waiting for the police to peel back more layers of abominable detail, so it can be quickly disseminated to a hungry audience.

From Slate Feb. 23, 2026

After a minute Luke went on idly, “I wonder what the doctor’s book will be like, when he writes it? Do you suppose he’ll put us in?”

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson




Vocabulary lists containing idly


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training