idler

• Bezeichnet eine Person, eine Maschine oder einen Zustand, der nicht aktiv, nicht in Betrieb oder ungenutzt ist; oft mit Faulheit oder Ziellosigkeit verbunden.

Describes a person, machine, or state that is not active, working, or in use; often implies laziness or lack of purpose.

1. Not active or workingB1formal

   Not engaged in any activity; not in action or at work.

   untätig

   • The factory machines stood idle during the strike.
   • He spent an idle afternoon just watching the clouds.
   • The workers were idle because of the power outage.

   Synonymeat leisuredormantinactiveindolentlanguidlazyquiescentsluggishunemployedunoccupied

   Antonymeactivebusyindustriousworking

2. Without reason or factB2formal

   Lacking a basis in reason or fact; groundless.

   Grundlos

   • The rumors were idle gossip with no truth behind them.
   • He made idle threats that he never intended to carry out.
   • Idle speculation about the merger caused unnecessary worry.

   Synonymebaselessemptygroundlessunfoundedunjustifiedunreasonableunsubstantiatedunsupportedunwarrantedvain

   Antonymejustifiedvalid

3. Not in useB1formal

   Not currently being used or operated.

   Nicht in Betrieb

   • The computer remained idle for hours.
   • Idle land was converted into a community garden.
   • The car sat idle in the garage all winter.

   Synonymeavailabledormantfallowfreeinactiveunoccupiedunusedvacant

   Antonymeactivebusyin useoperationalutilizedworking

4. Silly or trivialB2formal

   Lacking serious purpose or value; frivolous.

   Nichtig oder leichtfertig

   • They engaged in idle chatter about the weather.
   • Idle pastimes like watching reality TV don't interest him.
   • She dismissed the question as idle curiosity.

   Synonymeemptyfrivolousinsignificantpointlesssillytriflingtrivialunimportantvainworthless

   Antonymeimportantmeaningfulpurposefulserioussignificantsubstantialvaluableweighty

5. Lacking restraint or responsibilityB2formal

   Showing a lack of discipline or sense of duty.

   Verantwortungslos

   • Idle behavior in the classroom disrupted the lesson.
   • He was criticized for his idle lifestyle.
   • Idle hands are the devil's workshop, as the saying goes.

   Synonymecarelessirresponsiblelooseundisciplined

   Antonymeconscientiousdiligentdisciplinedindustriousresponsible

6. Not yielding a returnC1formal

   Not producing any profit, benefit, or result.

   Keinen Ertrag bringend

   • The investment lay idle, earning no interest.
   • Idle capital is a waste of resources.
   • The land remained idle, generating no income.

   Synonymebarrendeaddormantfruitlessnonproductiveprofitlessunproductiveunprofitable

   Antonymefruitfulproductiveprofitable

7. Not having a jobB1formal

   Unemployed or without paid work.

   Arbeitslos

   • He has been idle since the company closed down.
   • The government created programs to help idle workers.
   • Many idle youths are seeking employment opportunities.

   Synonymejoblessout of workunemployed

   Antonymebusyemployedworking

• Substantiv, das eine Person bezeichnet, die Arbeit vermeidet oder ihre Zeit ohne produktive Tätigkeit verbringt; auch ein leerlaufender Motor oder ein nutzloser Gegenstand.

A noun referring to a person who avoids work or spends time doing nothing productive.

1. Lazy personB2informal

   A person who avoids work or spends time doing nothing productive.

   Faule Person

   • He was known as an idler who never helped around the house.
   • The manager fired the idler who spent most of the day on his phone.
   • She called him an idler because he refused to get a job.

   Synonymedawdlergood-for-nothinglaggardlazybonesloaferloungermalingerershirkerslacker

   Antonymego-gettertoilerworker