Dictionary definition · idle
noun
- the state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling"the car engine was running at idle"
verb
- run disconnected or idle"the engine is idling"
- be idle; exist in a changeless situation"The old man sat and stagnated on his porch"
adjective
- not in action or at work"an idle laborer"
- without a basis in reason or fact"baseless gossip"
- not in active use"the machinery sat idle during the strike"
- silly or trivial"idle pleasure"
- lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility"idle talk"
- not yielding a return"dead capital"
- not having a job"idle carpenters"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).