1. not active or in use; not working
2. lazy; avoiding work
3. having no purpose or effect; pointless

1. to spend time doing nothing; to be inactive
2. to run slowly without being in gear or doing useful work
Usage: mechanical

Examples

• The factory machines sat idle during the strike.
• Don’t be idle – there’s plenty of work to do.
• His idle threats didn’t scare anyone.
• She idled away the afternoon reading magazines.
• The car engine idled quietly in the driveway.
• The students were idle during summer vacation.
• It’s just idle gossip with no truth to it.
• He let the boat idle near the dock.