idle
C1Neutral to formal; technical in engineering/computing contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Not active or in use; doing nothing; lazy.
A state of inactivity or lack of purposeful engagement. In mechanics/engineering: to run at a low speed without engaging the mechanism (e.g., an engine idling). In computing: a state where a processor is not executing a task.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a strong negative connotation of laziness or wastefulness when applied to people. In technical contexts (e.g., 'idle capacity', 'CPU is idle'), it is neutral, describing a state of readiness or non-use.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'idle' similarly as adjective/verb. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative moral judgment ('lazy') in UK usage; more neutral/technical in US usage (e.g., 'idle hands').
Frequency
Similar frequency. The verb sense ('to idle an engine') is more common in American automotive contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adj] + noun (idle machine)[verb] + away + time (idle away the hours)[verb] + adverb (The engine idled quietly).[verb] + [transitive] + object (He idled the engine).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Idle hands are the devil's workshop.”
- “An idle brain is the devil's workshop.”
- “To be bone idle.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to unused resources, e.g., 'idle capital', 'idle production lines'.
Academic
Used in economics (idle capacity), engineering (idle speed), computer science (idle process).
Everyday
Describing laziness or inactivity, e.g., 'He's been idle all day.'
Technical
A machine or system in a state of readiness but not performing work.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't idle away your afternoon.
- The car was left idling at the kerb.
American English
- He idled the engine while waiting.
- The workers were idled by the strike.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb in modern UK English.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb in modern US English.
adjective
British English
- The factory machinery stood idle for months.
- It was just an idle remark, not a serious threat.
American English
- The team's idle speculation led nowhere.
- Keep the truck in idle while loading.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children were not idle; they played all day.
- The computer is idle.
- The workers were idle because the materials hadn't arrived.
- She idled for a moment, thinking what to do next.
- The report dismissed their claims as mere idle gossip.
- The new policy aims to reduce idle time on the production floor.
- Economists warn against the dangers of idle capital in a recession.
- The processor sits idle until a interrupt signals a required task.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IDLE' as 'I Do Little Else'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INACTION IS WASTE / TIME IS A RESOURCE (to be used, not idled away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'ideal' (идеальный).
- Do not use 'idle' for simple 'empty' (пустой). Use 'unused'.
- The Russian 'бездействующий' is closer to the technical sense, not the 'lazy' sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'idle' as a noun (e.g., 'He is an idle' - incorrect).
- Confusing 'idle' with 'idol'.
- Overusing the 'lazy' sense in technical writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'idle' have a NEUTRAL or TECHNICAL meaning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When describing people, it is usually negative (lazy). In technical/business contexts (idle machine, idle funds), it is a neutral description of a state.
'Lazy' describes a character trait or habitual reluctance to work. 'Idle' describes a temporary state of inactivity; a busy person can be idle for a moment.
Yes. It means 1) to spend time doing nothing, and 2) (of an engine) to run slowly while disconnected from the drive.
A threat made without any serious intention or ability to carry it out.
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