idle

• Décrit une personne, une machine ou un état qui n'est pas actif, ne travaille pas ou n'est pas utilisé ; implique souvent la paresse ou l'absence de but.

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.

   inactif, oisif

   • 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.

   Synonymesat leisuredormantinactiveindolentlanguidlazyquiescentsluggishunemployedunoccupied

   Antonymesactivebusyindustriousworking

2. Without reason or factB2formal

   Lacking a basis in reason or fact; groundless.

   sans fondement

   • 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.

   Synonymesbaselessemptygroundlessunfoundedunjustifiedunreasonableunsubstantiatedunsupportedunwarrantedvain

   Antonymesjustifiedvalid

3. Not in useB1formal

   Not currently being used or operated.

   inactif, non utilisé

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

   Synonymesavailabledormantfallowfreeinactiveunoccupiedunusedvacant

   Antonymesactivebusyin useoperationalutilizedworking

4. Silly or trivialB2formal

   Lacking serious purpose or value; frivolous.

   Oisif, futile

   • 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.

   Synonymesemptyfrivolousinsignificantpointlesssillytriflingtrivialunimportantvainworthless

   Antonymesimportantmeaningfulpurposefulserioussignificantsubstantialvaluableweighty

5. Lacking restraint or responsibilityB2formal

   Showing a lack of discipline or sense of duty.

   désœuvré, irresponsable, sans discipline

   • 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.

   Synonymescarelessirresponsiblelooseundisciplined

   Antonymesconscientiousdiligentdisciplinedindustriousresponsible

6. Not yielding a returnC1formal

   Not producing any profit, benefit, or result.

   Non productif

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

   Synonymesbarrendeaddormantfruitlessnonproductiveprofitlessunproductiveunprofitable

   Antonymesfruitfulproductiveprofitable

7. Not having a jobB1formal

   Unemployed or without paid work.

   Sans emploi

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

   Synonymesjoblessout of workunemployed

   Antonymesbusyemployedworking

• Nom désignant l'état d'un moteur ou d'une machine qui tourne sans être sollicité ou utilisé, ou plus généralement une période d'inactivité, de non-utilisation ou de chômage technique.

A noun referring to the state of an engine or mechanism that is running but not engaged or in use.

indénombrable

1. Idling state of an engineB2formal

   The state of an engine or other mechanism when it is running but not engaged or doing useful work.

   Ralenti (d'un moteur)

   • The car was left in idle while waiting for the traffic light.
   • He adjusted the carburetor to improve the engine's idle.
   • The mechanic checked the idle speed of the motor.

   Synonymesidling

• Verbe signifiant passer son temps à ne rien faire ou, pour un moteur, tourner au ralenti.

A verb meaning to spend time doing nothing or to run an engine without being in gear.

1. Run without doing workB2formaltechnical

   To run an engine or machine while it is not connected to a load or doing useful work.

   tourner au ralenti

   • The car engine was idling while we waited.
   • He left the truck idling in the driveway.
   • The factory machines were idling during the power outage.

   Synonymestick over

   Antonymesracerev

2. Be inactive or do nothingB1formal

   To spend time doing nothing or to remain inactive.

   rester inactif

   • He idled away the afternoon watching television.
   • The workers were idling because the project was delayed.
   • She idled in the park, enjoying the sunshine.

   Synonymesdallydawdlelanguishlazeloafloiterlollloungeslackvegetate

   Antonymesactfunctionlabortoilwork