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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.

He wasn’t a man to sit idly in death’s anteroom, awaiting the grim reaper.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 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

Unseasonably high temperatures even left the impressive array of high-tech artificial-snow makers below mostly useless, their fans spinning idly in the warm breeze.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

Luke lay on his stomach on the floor and idly ran the toy train back and forth on the track.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix




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