idling
Waiting in neutral
Idling is running without doing useful work.
An engine idles when it's on but the vehicle isn't moving: The car sat idling in the driveway.
A person idles when passing time without productive activity: He spent the afternoon idling on the porch.
The word suggests neither urgency nor guilt—just a pause between efforts.
Passing time idly
- slackingAvoiding effort deliberately
- loungingReclining in idleness
- dawdlingLeisurely time-wasting
- lollygaggingAimless time-wasting
bumming · indolence · sloth · lethargy · inertia · sluggishness · languor · listlessness
Remaining beyond expected duration
- millingProcessing grain mechanically
- wanderingTraveling with no fixed course
- hoveringSuspended without support
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
Movement along routes
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- stoplightIntersection flow controller
- red-lightTraffic control commanding halt
- drive-throughVehicle-accessible service lane
parking · car · truck · curbside · waiting · emissions · stop-and-go · warmup
Ready substitute awaiting use
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- holdingMaintaining physical possession
- limboState of uncertain waiting
suspension · ready · intermission · interval · anticipation · queue · delay
Increasing engine speed
- throttlePower flow controller
- RPMTurns in sixty seconds
- tachometerRotational speed indicator
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
cylinders · exhaust · carburetor · fuel · ignition · pistons · crankshaft · torque
loafing
Passing time idly
lollygagging · bumming · indolence · sloth · lethargy · inertia · sluggishness · languor · listlessness · procrastination
lingering
Remaining beyond expected duration
- millingProcessing grain mechanically
- wanderingTraveling with no fixed course
- hoveringSuspended without support
meandering · ambling · lurking · plaza · mall
traffic
Movement along routes
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- stoplightIntersection flow controller
- red-lightTraffic control commanding halt
drive-through · parking · car · truck · curbside · waiting · emissions · stop-and-go · warmup
standby
Ready substitute awaiting use
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- holdingMaintaining physical possession
limbo · suspension · ready · intermission · interval · anticipation · queue · delay
revving
Increasing engine speed
- throttlePower flow controller
- RPMTurns in sixty seconds
- tachometerRotational speed indicator
combustion · cylinders · exhaust · carburetor · fuel · ignition · pistons · crankshaft · torque · diesel
- waste of timeprocrastination, busywork, dawdling, dithering, goofing off
- wastefulnesswaste, squandering, extravagance, profligacy, dissipation
- drivingdrive, steering, driver, acceleration, motorist
- idle timekilling time, passing time, wasting time, whiling away, doing nothing
- idlenessdoing nothing, loafing, lounging, lazing, sitting around
- Leisurely Pastimeslounging, relaxing, resting, lazing, chilling