idly
gb/ˈaɪdli/ us/ˈaɪdli/
B2
Inglês
~ 8400
Acepções
0 acepção
adverb
B2
state
1
without working or being used
Not working or doing anything; not being used for any real work.
Padrão de uso:
[someone/something] [verb] idly
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes write *"idlely"* instead of *"idly"*. Remember that the adverb form of *idle* drops the final *e*: *idle → idly*. Learners may also confuse *idly* with *ideally*, which has a completely different meaning.
Sinônimos
inactively (More formal and technical; focuses on lack of activity without suggesting laziness.)
|
lazily (Often suggests a relaxed or unwilling attitude, sometimes with judgment; more about mood than simple inactivity.)
Antônimos
busily (Emphasizes being very active or occupied, the opposite of doing nothing.)
|
actively (Stresses taking action or being in use, in contrast to being idle.)
Colocações
sit idly
|stand idly
|wait idly
|lie idly
|remain idly
|sit idly by
Temas
daily life
|work
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- He sat idly at his desk, staring out of the window instead of starting the report.
- Dozens of expensive machines lay idly in the warehouse, covered in dust.
- The workers waited idly in the shade while the power was out.
- The taxi stood idly at the curb for nearly an hour without a single passenger.
- Computers hummed idly on the tables, with no one there to use them.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The children sat idly on the sofa and did nothing all afternoon.
- Several cars were parked idly in front of the house.
- The factory machines stood idly because there were no orders.
- He waited idly at the station for the late train.
- My phone was ringing idly on the table, but no one answered it.
unknown
C1
property
2
casually, without real purpose
Without a real plan or strong interest; just for no special reason or to pass time.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] [verb] idly [about something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse *idly* with *ideal* or *ideally*. *Idly* means "without real purpose" or "without much interest"; *ideally* means "in a perfect situation." For example, *We chatted idly* ≠ *We chatted ideally*.
Sinônimos
casually (Focuses on relaxed, informal behavior, not always implying lack of purpose.)
|
absentmindedly (Stresses that the person is not really paying attention, whereas *idly* can also simply mean "with no clear purpose.")
Antônimos
purposefully (Highlights acting with a clear aim or goal, opposite to doing something without a real purpose.)
Colocações
chat idly
|talk idly
|idly chat
|idly wonder
|idly scroll
|flip idly through
Temas
daily life
|communication
|thinking
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- We chatted idly about the weather while we waited for the train.
- She idly wondered what her life might be like in another country.
- He flipped idly through the magazine, not really reading any of the articles.
- They were scrolling idly through social media to kill time before dinner.
- He picked up a pen and twirled it idly between his fingers as he listened.
Exemplos para estudantes
- We talked idly while we waited for the bus.
- She looked out of the window and thought idly about her future.
- He moved the coins idly around on the table.
- I scrolled idly on my phone before bed.
- They played with the cards idly and did not start the game.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
idly
AFI
GB/ˈaɪdli/
US/ˈaɪdli/
Sílabas e tonicidade
idly (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (idly)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: idly
- Plural: idly
Família de palavras
Expressões
sit idly by
1/sˈɪt ˈaɪdli bˈaɪ/
idiom
be present but do nothing
To be there while something, often bad or unfair, is happening and not do anything to stop it.
Exemplos
- We cannot sit idly by while people in our community are suffering.
- The company sat idly by as its competitors took over the market.
- I refuse to sit idly by and watch my team fall apart.
stand idly by
1/stˈænd ˈaɪdli bˈaɪ/
idiom
stand and do nothing
To stand and watch while something, often bad or unfair, is happening and not do anything to help or stop it.
Exemplos
- The police were criticized for standing idly by during the attack.
- We will not stand idly by while our rights are taken away.
- Neighbors refused to stand idly by and quickly helped put out the fire.