idler

• 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

• Personne qui évite de travailler ou qui passe son temps sans activité productive.

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.

   Personne paresseuse

   • 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.

   Synonymesdawdlergood-for-nothinglaggardlazybonesloaferloungermalingerershirkerslacker

   Antonymesgo-gettertoilerworker