idle
Doing absolutely nothing
Idle means not active or in use.
An idle machine sits unused; idle workers have nothing to do.
Idle time is unproductive time.
The word extends to things lacking purpose or substance: idle chatter, idle threats, idle curiosity.
To idle is to spend time doing nothing, or for an engine to run without engaging gears: The car idled at the curb.
Don't just sit idle—help out.
Lacking paid employment
- out of workWithout paid employment
- unemployedWithout a job
- laid offDismissed from employment
- between jobsEuphemism for unemployed
redundant · dismissed · fired · downsized · underemployed · furloughed · workless · sidelined
Lack of movement
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
- restCessation of activity
pause · standstill · halt · stoppage · immobility · quiescence · repose · stasis
State of being unwound
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- pastimeRecreational pursuit
- loafingPassing time idly
lounging · lazing · unwinding · respite · break · time off · free time · vacation
Lacking interest or concern
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- uninvolvedNot taking part
- passiveNot actively participating
unconcerned · nonchalant · disinterested · listless · unmotivated · languid · lackadaisical · unoccupied
Incapable of producing results
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- wastefulUsing resources carelessly
purposeless · vain · otiose · unprofitable · ineffective · unrewarding · barren · sterile
Machine producing motion
- runningSwift foot travel
- neutralNot favoring any side
- revvingIncreasing engine speed
- warming upPreparing body for exertion
standby · coasting · freewheeling · disengaged · parked · throttle · motor · purring
Remaining beyond expected duration
- loiteringPurposeless public lingering
- hanging aroundRemaining somewhere idly
- milling aboutAimless collective movement
- dawdlingLeisurely time-wasting
tarrying · dallying · meandering · drifting · killing time · waiting around · standing around · whiling
jobless
Lacking paid employment
- out of workWithout paid employment
- unemployedWithout a job
- laid offDismissed from employment
between jobs · redundant · dismissed · fired · downsized · underemployed · furloughed · workless · sidelined · benched
inactivity
Lack of movement
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
rest · pause · standstill · halt · stoppage · immobility · quiescence · repose · stasis · torpor
relaxation
State of being unwound
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- pastimeRecreational pursuit
loafing · lounging · lazing · unwinding · respite · break · time off · free time · vacation · holiday
indifferent
Lacking interest or concern
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- uninvolvedNot taking part
passive · unconcerned · nonchalant · disinterested · listless · unmotivated · languid · lackadaisical · unoccupied · bored
futile
Incapable of producing results
wasteful · purposeless · vain · otiose · unprofitable · ineffective · unrewarding · barren · sterile · bootless
engine
Machine producing motion
warming up · standby · coasting · freewheeling · disengaged · parked · throttle · motor · purring
lingering
Remaining beyond expected duration
- loiteringPurposeless public lingering
- hanging aroundRemaining somewhere idly
- milling aboutAimless collective movement
dawdling · tarrying · dallying · meandering · drifting · killing time · waiting around · standing around · whiling · moseying
idleindustrious
Devoted to steady effort
productive · diligent · hardworking · busy · ambitious
idlerunning
Swift foot travel
operating · functioning · working · active · in operation
- sit idly byFail to intervene
- idle chatterTrivial, aimless conversation
- idle threatsInsincere warnings lacking intent
- idle talkAimless conversation
- sitting idly byChoosing not to intervene
- idle handsUnoccupied extremities seeking mischief