adjective idler i′dler, idlest i′dlest

1. 1. having no value, use, or significance; worthless; useless idle talk
   2. vain; futile; pointless an idle wish
2. baseless; unfounded idle rumors
3. 1. unemployed; not busy
   2. inactive; not in use idle machines
   3. not filled with activity idle hours
4. not inclined to work; lazy
5. designating certain parts of a fuel system that set an engine's idling speed

Etymology: ME idel < OE, empty, akin to Ger eitel, vain, empty < ? IE base *ai-dh, to burn, shine: basic sense, either “only apparent, seeming” or “burned out”

intransitive verb idled i′dled, idling i′dling

1. to move slowly or aimlessly; loaf
2. to spend time unprofitably; be unemployed or inactive
3. to operate without transmitting power; esp., to operate a motor vehicle's engine while the vehicle is not moving

Etymology: < idlethe : parallel with OE idlian, to come to nothing, be useless

transitive verb

1. to waste; squander: usually with away to idle away one's youth
2. to cause (a motor, etc.) to idle
3. to cause to be inactive or unemployed

noun