What is another word for idle?

Common synonyms for idle include unused, stagnate, wild, unfounded, light.

What is the opposite of idle?

Antonyms of idle include busy, active, occupied, working, engaged.

Synonyms for

Idle

Verb / ˈaɪdʌl / Another word for idle — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

not working or being used; lazy

Synonyms & similar words

unused stagnate wild unfounded light work laze groundless loose run outofwork baseless tickover busy jobless dead slug unwarranted inactive unemployed lazy unoccupied vacant untapped unused unutilized fallow dormant resting suspended off jobless unengaged leisurely

Synonyms by register

Formal

inactive unoccupied dormant quiescent

Informal

lazy doing nothing chilling hanging around

Literary

slothful languid at leisure

Antonyms

busy active occupied working engaged employed industrious

Common collocations

idle hands
idle time
idle chatter
idle speculation
idle curiosity
idle rich
idle moments
idle gossip

Word family

noun idleness

adjective idle

adverb idly

Usage note

The word 'idle' can refer to a state of inactivity, but also to something that is not in use or is without purpose. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation of laziness.