Idlers play an essential role in many mechanical systems, including gears, pulleys, and conveyor belts. While not directly involved in the work process, they maintain the efficiency of the system by guiding or stabilizing other parts. In modern usage, the term has expanded from its mechanical origins to describe individuals who are perceived as lazy or unproductive, although this perception can be subjective and vary across cultures.
Word 'idler' in Other Languages
- idler in Assamese অসমীয়া
- idler in Bengali বাংলা
- idler in Bodo बड़ो
- idler in Dogri डोगरी
- idler in English
- idler in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- idler in Hindi हिन्दी
- idler in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- idler in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- idler in Konkani कोंकणी
- idler in Maithili মৈথিলী
- idler in Malayalam മലയാളം
- idler in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- idler in Marathi मराठी
- idler in Nepali नेपाली
- idler in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- idler in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- idler in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- idler in Santali
- idler in Sindhi سنڌي
- idler in Tamil தமிழ்
- idler in Telugu తెలుగు
- idler in Urdu اُردُو
Idler
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪ.dlər/
Definitions
- 1. A person who avoids work or activity; someone who is idle.
- 2. A wheel or pulley in a mechanical system that is not actively driven but helps maintain tension or alignment in the system.
- 3. A device used in machines to guide or support other moving parts, usually not directly involved in the work being done.
Usage Examples
- "The idler in the machine helped keep the conveyor belt in alignment."
- "The company hired an idler to sit around and make sure everything stayed in order, though they didn't do much work themselves."
- "She was called an idler for spending so much time doing nothing when there was plenty of work to be done."
Etymology
The word "idler" comes from the Middle English "ideler," meaning a lazy or inactive person, derived from the word "idle," which comes from the Old English "ideles," meaning "inactive" or "lazy." In mechanical contexts, "idler" refers to a non-driven component designed to support or guide other parts in motion, introduced in the late 19th century.
Synonyms
- Laggard
- Lazybones
- Slacker
- Freewheel
- Drifter
Antonyms
- Worker
- Active person
- Laborer
- Doer
- Contributor
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Ocioso | /oˈθjoso/ |
| French | Paresseux | /paʁɛsø/ |
| German | Faulenzer | /ˈfaʊlənʁt͡sɐ/ |
| Russian | Лентяй | /lʲɪnʲˈtʲaj/ |
| Hindi | आलसी | /ālsī/ |
| Tamil | சோம்பல் | /cōmpal/ |
| Telugu | పటుకు | /paṭuku/ |
| Bengali | আলস্য | /āḻasyo/ |
| Gujarati | આળસુ | /āḷasu/ |
| Marathi | आलसी | /ālasi/ |
| Kannada | ಆಲಸ್ಯ | /ālasyā/ |
| Malayalam | സോംബൽ | /sōmbal/ |
| Punjabi | ਆਲਸੀ | /ālsī/ |
| Chinese | 懒汉 | /lǎn hàn/ |
| Japanese | 怠け者 | /namakemono/ |
| Korean | 게으름뱅이 | /geu-reum-bae-ngi/ |
| Arabic | كاسل | /kāsil/ |
| Portuguese | Vagabundo | /vaɡaˈbũdu/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- US: /ˈaɪ.dlər/
- UK: /ˈaɪ.dlər/
- Australia: /ˈaɪ.dlə/
Historical Usage
In earlier English texts, the term "idler" was often used pejoratively to refer to individuals who avoided work or responsibilities. The rise of industrialization and the focus on productivity in the 19th century increased the prominence of the term, particularly in mechanical contexts, where "idlers" are key components that assist in the functioning of machines without contributing directly to the task at hand.
Cultural Nuances
In certain cultures, being labeled an "idler" carries a strong negative connotation, as industriousness and hard work are often highly valued. However, in some contexts, idlers are seen as passive participants in a system, whose lack of action contributes to the overall functioning of a process. In some societies, this understanding of "idling" is less derogatory and can even be associated with patience, observation, or contemplation.