idle etymology

Etymology

"Idle" comes from the Old English word "idel," which originally meant "empty," "useless," or "worthless." Over time, its meaning evolved to include the idea of being lazy or inactive.

Meaning

The word "idle" has several related meanings:

• Not occupied or engaged in work or activity
• Inactive, lazy, or lacking effort
• Not productive or useful
• Of no value or importance

Origin

The origin of the word "idle" is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*el-," which means "to let go" or "to abandon." This root is also found in other words such as "leisure" and "liberty."

Usage

The word "idle" can be used in a variety of contexts, including:

• To describe a person who is not working or engaging in productive activity: "The idle man sat on the park bench all day."
• To describe a situation that lacks activity or excitement: "The idle summer days passed slowly."
• To describe something that is of no value or importance: "The idle chatter was a waste of time."
• To describe a machine or device that is not in use: "The idle engine hummed quietly."

Synonyms

Some synonyms for "idle" include:

• Lazy
• Inactive
• Unoccupied
• Unemployed
• Worthless
• Unimportant

idle relate terms

• idleness

  Etymology Old English idelnes Proto Germanic idilaz meaning empty vain Proto Ind

• idle

  Etymology Idle comes from the Old English word idel which originally meant empty

• idler

  Etymology Middle English idler from Old English idel idle lazy Cognates in Germani

• idle

  Etymology Idle comes from the Old English word idel which originally meant empty

• idly

  Etymology The word idly comes from the Old English word idel which means idle or

• idle

  Etymology Idle comes from the Old English word idel which originally meant empty

• work

  Etymology The word work comes from the Old English word weorc which means to do t

• busy

  Etymology Middle English busye from Anglo Norman French busye ultimately from Old Fr

• vain

  Etymology The word vain is derived from the Middle English vain which in turn comes

• otiose

  Etymology otiose adjective From Latin otiosus idle at leisure from otium

• sulky

  Etymology The word sulky is derived from the Middle English word sulken meaning to

• jest

  Etymology Old English gest Proto Germanic gast Proto Indo European gʰosti

• loll

  Etymology Loll is derived from the Middle English word lollen which means to loung

• wild

  Etymology The word wild comes from the Old English word wilde which means living in

• Edda

  Etymology Old Norse Edda Meaning Great grandmother or ancestress poetic term