adj.
Pronunciation: ' ī -d ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: idler \ ' ī d-l ə r, ' ī -d ə l- ə r \ ; idlest \ ' ī d-l ə st, ' ī -d ə l- ə st \
Etymology: Middle English idel, from Old English ī del; akin to Old High German ī tal worthless
Date: before 12th century
1 : lacking worth or basis : VAIN < idle chatter> < idle pleasure>
2 : not occupied or employed: as a : having no employment : INACTIVE < idle workers> b : not turned to normal or appropriate use < idle funds> < idle farmland> c : not scheduled to compete <the team will be idle tomorrow>
3 a : SHIFTLESS , LAZY b : having no evident lawful means of support
synonyms see VAIN , INACTIVE
– idle · ness \ ' ī -d ə l-n ə s \ noun
– idly \ ' ī d-l ē , ' ī -d ə l- ē \ adverb