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Dictionary Entry: Idle

Idle

Part of Speech

Adjective, Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈaɪ.dəl/

Definitions

  • 1. (Adjective) Not active or engaged in work or activity.
  • 2. (Adjective) Lacking purpose or effect; aimless.
  • 3. (Verb) To remain inactive or to not work.
  • 4. (Verb) To spend time in a lazy or unproductive way.

Usage Examples

  • "The engine has been idle for months, waiting for repairs."
  • "She had been idle all afternoon, unable to focus on anything."
  • "The workers were idling on the job site until instructions arrived."

Etymology

From Middle English "idel," meaning "lazy, inactive," derived from Old English "idela," from Proto-Germanic "*idilaz," meaning "inactive, empty."

Synonyms

  • Inactive
  • Lazy
  • Unproductive
  • Leisurely
  • Inert

Antonyms

  • Active
  • Engaged
  • Productive
  • Busy
  • Energetic

Translations

LanguageTranslationPronunciation
SpanishInactivo/inaˈktivo/
FrenchInactif/inaktif/
GermanInaktiv/ɪnaktɪf/
RussianБездействующий/bʲɪzdʲɪstvuˈjɪʂt͡ɕɪj/
Hindiनिष्क्रिय/niṣkriy/
Tamilசெயலற்ற/ceyaləṟṟa/
Teluguచిన్నబడిన/cinnabaḍina/
Bengaliঅক্রিয়/ôkriyo/
Gujaratiનક્રિય/nakriya/
Marathiनिष्क्रिय/niṣkriy/
Kannadaನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಿಯ/niṣkriya/
Malayalamനിഷ്ക്രിയ/niṣkriya/
Punjabiਨਿਸ਼ਕ੍ਰੀਯ/niśkrīya/
Chinese闲置/xiánzhì/
Japanese無駄/mudā/
Korean유휴/yuhyu/
Arabicعاطل/ʕāṭil/
PortugueseInativo/inaˈtʃivu/

Regional Pronunciation Variations

  • US: /ˈaɪ.dəl/
  • UK: /ˈaɪ.dəl/
  • Australia: /ˈaɪ.dəl/

Historical Usage

The word "idle" has been used in English since the Middle Ages, originally meaning "empty" or "useless." Over time, it came to represent a state of inactivity or lack of work. In industrial times, it gained connotations related to labor and productivity.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, being "idle" can carry negative connotations, implying laziness or lack of purpose. However, in certain contexts, such as leisure or rest, idleness is seen as necessary for well-being and mental health.

More Information

The term "idle" is widely used in different contexts, ranging from describing machines that are not in use to people who are not engaged in work. The concept of idleness has evolved over time, especially in relation to work ethics and societal expectations. In contemporary culture, "idle" can refer to both physical and mental inactivity. While historically seen as a negative state, idleness is now sometimes associated with relaxation, mindfulness, and creativity.

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