[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/idle/)

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# idle

adjective (idle, idler, idlest); verb (idle, idles, idled, idling)

«idle» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Not working or not being used, as in «the machines stood idle». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#m1)
2. Lazy, not wanting to work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#m2)
3. Without a real reason or purpose, as in «idle chatter» or «an idle threat». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#m3)
4. (verb) Of an engine: to run slowly while the car is not moving. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#m4)
5. (verb) To spend time doing nothing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#m5)

### In the lessons

In safety and science: an idling car makes fumes, so many schools have «no idling» signs. In stories: «idle hands», «idle gossip». In computing a computer can be idle. Phrases: stand idle, idle chatter, idle threat, idle away the time.

### Examples

- Please don't let the engine idle outside the school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x1)
- The tractor sat idle in the shed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x2)
- Don't be idle — help me tidy up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x3)
- It was just idle chatter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x4)
- We idled away the afternoon in the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x5)
- His threat was an idle one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x6)
- The computer goes to sleep when it is idle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x7)
- As long as our father lived Alnaschar was very idle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/#x8)

### Note

Homophone: «idol» (someone you admire, or a statue worshipped). Adverb: idly. Noun: idleness. In maths, time a machine is idle produces nothing, so it does not add to the total made.

## In Jewish tradition

Pharaoh uses it to mean lazy and shirking work. He says the Israelites are idle because they ask to go and worship.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads Pharaoh's cruel words as an excuse for making the slavery heavier. Moses' request to worship God is treated as the start of the exodus.

### Examples

- But he said: 'Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye say: Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD. (Torah EXO.5.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idle/#x1)
- And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God. (Torah EXO.5.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idle/#x2)
- Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger. (Writings PRO.19.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idle/#x3)

### Note

Homophone: «idol» (someone you admire, or a statue worshipped). Adverb: idly. Noun: idleness. In maths, time a machine is idle produces nothing, so it does not add to the total made.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «idle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/idle.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «idle» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idle» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/idle.html) on Mova free.