Another Word For Idle

Meaning

The word "idle" refers to a state of inactivity or laziness. It describes a situation where a person or thing is not engaged in any productive activity or is not being used. For example, someone who is sitting around without doing any work might be considered idle.

Synonyms

• Inactive
• Unoccupied
• Lazy
• Resting
• Unproductive

Antonyms

• Active
• Busy
• Productive
• Engaged
• Working

Etymology

The word "idle" originates from the Old English "idela," which means "empty, void, or worthless." This reflects the sense of not being in use or being without purpose.

Examples

1. After finishing his homework, John spent the rest of the afternoon in an idle state, scrolling through social media.
2. The machine was idle all day because there were no tasks scheduled for it.
3. She felt guilty for being idle while her friends were busy studying for the exam.
4. The park was filled with idle children playing games under the sun.
5. Instead of being idle, why not take up a new hobby or learn something new?