idle
gb/ˈaɪdəl/ us/ˈaɪdəl/
B1
English
~ 9100
tétlen, lusta, tétlenkedik, lődörög, alapjáraton jár, alapjáraton járat, üres, komolytalan
B1
1
tétlen
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is idle
Several machines were standing idle in the corner of the factory.
Több gép is tétlenül állt a gyár sarkában.
The workers have been idle for weeks because of the strike.
A munkások hetek óta tétlenek a sztrájk miatt.
I hate seeing such a talented person sitting idle.
Much of the office space remains idle during the weekend.
Learner examples
The taxi was idle at the station.
A taxi tétlenül állt az állomáson.
Many workers were idle during the power cut.
Sok munkás tétlen volt az áramszünet alatt.
My computer is idle when I am not at my desk.
The gym was idle all night.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "idle" with "idol". "Idle" means not working or not active, while "idol" is a person or thing that is greatly loved and admired.
Meaning
Not working or being used
Collocations
stand idle
|sit idle
|lie idle
|leave [something] idle
|idle workers
|idle machinery
Synonyms
inactive (More general and slightly more formal; often used for systems or periods, not just people.)
Antonyms
busy (Emphasizes being actively occupied with work or activity.)
Themes
work
|daily life
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not working or not being used at that moment.
Not engaged in work, activity, or use at a particular time.
B2
2
lusta
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is idle
He lost his job because his boss thought he was idle and unmotivated.
Elvesztette az állását, mert a főnöke lustának és motiválatlannak tartotta.
She has an idle streak and avoids any task that looks difficult.
Hajlamos a lustaságra, és kerül minden olyan feladatot, ami nehéznek tűnik.
The novel criticizes the idle rich who never have to work.
An idle student will quickly fall behind in class.
Learner examples
My brother is too idle to clean his room.
A testvérem túl lusta ahhoz, hogy kitakarítsa a szobáját.
The teacher does not like idle students.
A tanár nem szereti a lusta diákokat.
He lives an idle life and does not want a job.
People think the idle rich do nothing all day.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "idle" only for people who are temporarily not working. For a permanent personality description (someone who never wants to work), "idle" is possible but "lazy" is more common and clearer.
Meaning
Lazy; not wanting to work
Collocations
idle and lazy
|idle lifestyle
|the idle rich
|idle youth
|too idle to [verb]
Synonyms
lazy (The most common everyday word; slightly more direct and sometimes more negative than "idle".)
Antonyms
hardworking (Highlights someone who works a lot and makes a strong effort.)
Themes
personality
|work
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing someone who does not want to work or try.
Describing a person who is habitually lazy and avoids work or effort.
VERB
B2
3
tétlenkedik
B2
lődörög
B2
Usage pattern:
to idle around [a place]
We idled around the park all afternoon, just talking and watching people.
Egész délután a parkban lődörögtünk, csak beszélgettünk és figyeltük az embereket.
He likes to idle by the river on Sunday mornings.
Vasárnap délelőttönként szeret a folyóparton tétlenkedni.
Instead of working on her project, she idled the day away online.
Tourists idled about in the square, taking photos and drinking coffee.
Learner examples
They idled around the mall after school.
Iskola után a plázában lődörögtek.
We idled in the cafe for an hour.
Egy órán át csak üldögéltünk a kávézóban.
He idled the afternoon away in front of the TV.
I do not want to idle at home all weekend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "idle" like "relax" in all situations. "Idle" often suggests doing nothing useful and can sound slightly negative, while "relax" is neutral or positive.
Meaning
Spend time doing nothing much
Collocations
idle around
|idle about
|idle the day away
|idling in the sun
|idle by the window
Synonyms
loaf (Informal; suggests being lazy and avoiding work rather than simply relaxing.)
Antonyms
work (Focuses on doing tasks or jobs, the opposite of passing time doing nothing.)
Themes
daily life
|leisure
|behavior
|daily_life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To pass time doing very little or nothing important.
To spend time in a relaxed or aimless way, without doing anything important or productive.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
[engine/vehicle] idles
The car was idling outside while she ran into the shop.
Az autó odakint alapjáraton járt, amíg ő beszaladt a boltba.
Do not leave your engine idling for long periods; it wastes fuel.
Ne hagyd hosszú ideig alapjáraton járni a motort; ez pazarolja az üzemanyagot.
He let the truck idle in neutral as he checked the map.
Several buses sat idling at the station, filling the air with exhaust.
Learner examples
The taxi engine was idling at the curb.
A taxi motorja alapjáraton járt a járdaszegélynél.
Please do not idle the car outside my window.
Kérlek, ne járasd alapjáraton az autót az ablakom alatt.
The bus idled at the stop for ten minutes.
He left the engine idling while he made a phone call.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "idle" here means the car is completely off. In this sense, the engine is still running but not moving the car or doing work.
Meaning
Engine running slowly with no load
Collocations
engine idling
|car idling
|idle at the lights
|idle in neutral
|let the car idle
Synonyms
tick over (Mainly UK and informal; describes an engine running quietly at low speed.)
Antonyms
accelerate (Emphasizes increasing engine speed and power, the opposite of staying at low idle speed.)
Themes
transport
|technology
|environment
|transportation
Definition
For a car or machine engine to run slowly while the car or machine is not moving or working.
Of an engine or vehicle: to run at a low speed while not connected to a drive gear or not doing useful work.
B2
5
üres
B1
komolytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
idle [noun]
His promise was not just idle talk; he really meant it.
Az ígérete nem csupán üres beszéd volt; tényleg komolyan gondolta.
They dismissed the email as an idle threat from an angry customer.
Az e-mailt egy dühös ügyfél üres fenyegetésének tekintették, és nem foglalkoztak vele.
The article was full of idle speculation about the company’s future.
Out of idle curiosity, she searched for her old classmates online.
Learner examples
The teacher said this was not an idle threat.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy ez nem üres fenyegetés.
We had some idle talk while we waited.
Várakozás közben egy kicsit semmiségekről beszélgettünk.
That comment was just idle chatter.
He asked the question from idle curiosity.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "idle talk" means talk when people are not working. It actually means talk that is not serious or important, often with no real effect.
Meaning
Without real effect or seriousness
Collocations
idle talk
|idle threat
|idle speculation
|idle rumor
|idle curiosity
|idle chatter
Synonyms
meaningless (Focuses on having no real meaning or value; "idle" often also suggests that nothing will happen because of it.)
Antonyms
serious (Emphasizes that the talk, threat, or plan is real and should be taken into account.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not serious or real; not likely to happen or change anything.
Having no real purpose, effect, or seriousness; not likely to lead to action or result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idle
IPA
GB/ˈaɪdəl/
US/ˈaɪdəl/
Syllables & stress
idle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (idle)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: idle
- Comparative: idler
- Superlative: idlest
Verb
- Base: idle
- 3rd Person Singular: idles
- Present Participle: idling
- Past: idled
Word family
Expressions
idle away
1/ˈaɪdəl əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
Spend time doing very little
To spend time doing very little or nothing important, usually in a relaxed way.
Examples
- We idled away the afternoon by the pool.
- He likes to idle away his weekends playing simple games.
idle chatter
1/ˈaɪdəl t͡ʃˈætɚ/
fixed phrase
Light, meaningless conversation
Quick, light talk with no serious topic or goal.
Examples
- The room was full of idle chatter before the talk began.
- They exchanged idle chatter while waiting for the train.
idle curiosity
1/ˈaɪdəl kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
Curiosity with no real need
Wanting to know something just for interest, not because you need the information.
Examples
- Out of idle curiosity, he checked how much the house next door had sold for.
- She asked the question from idle curiosity, not because it mattered.
idle hands are the devil's workshop
1/ˈaɪdəl hˈændz ˈɑɹ ðə dˈɛvəlz wˈɚkʃˌɑp/
idiom
literary
Doing nothing can lead to trouble
If people have nothing useful to do, they may start doing bad or foolish things.
Examples
- She encouraged her children to join clubs because she believed that idle hands are the devil's workshop.
- The program aims to keep teenagers busy, based on the idea that idle hands are the devil's workshop.
idle talk
1/ˈaɪdəl tˈɔk/
fixed phrase
Unimportant, not serious talk
Talk that is not serious or important and will not change anything.
Examples
- Most of the meeting was just idle talk about office gossip.
- She dismissed the rumors as idle talk from bored coworkers.
idle threat
1/ˈaɪdəl θɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Threat not meant seriously
A warning that someone says but does not really plan to do.
Examples
- The manager’s warning was not an idle threat; several people were fired.
- Parents sometimes make idle threats that their children know they will not keep.
lie idle
1/lˈaɪ ˈaɪdəl/
fixed phrase
Remain unused or not active
To stay without being used or active.
Examples
- Much of the equipment is lying idle in storage.
- The land has lain idle for years because of a legal dispute.
sit idle
1/sˈɪt ˈaɪdəl/
fixed phrase
Sit without doing anything
To sit and not do any work or activity.
Examples
- He sat idle at his desk, waiting for the system to reboot.
- I do not want to sit idle while others do all the work.
stand idle
1/stˈænd ˈaɪdəl/
fixed phrase
Stand without doing anything
To stand and not do any work or activity.
Examples
- Several workers stood idle while they waited for new instructions.
- We cannot stand idle while the problem gets worse.
the idle rich
1/ðə ˈaɪdəl ɹˈɪt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Wealthy people who do not work
Rich people who do not have to work and often do very little.
Examples
- The novel is a sharp look at the lives of the idle rich.
- Many people resent the idle rich, who seem to live without worries.
idle speculation
1/ˈaɪdəl spˌɛkjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Guessing without real basis
Guesses and ideas about something when you do not have facts and the guesses are not very useful.
Examples
- Let's avoid idle speculation and wait for the official report.
- The report avoids idle speculation and sticks to the facts.
- The meeting turned into idle speculation about who might be promoted next.
- There was a lot of idle speculation about who would be promoted.