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Showing results for idle. Search instead for idlen.
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.

Like many of her fellow volunteers, Hungarian beautician Krisztina Menczel sat idle in the past elections that kept nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban in power.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

"But it's not lost on me that these are not idle threats," Balmer said.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Uploads and downloads were fast and didn’t idle.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 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

Camille lucks out with a close parking spot and lets the car idle while we gaze at the townhouse belonging to Mom’s best friend.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.