MEANING
A state of not working or engaging in purposeful activity, sometimes by choice.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- enforced idleness
- idle days
On the page
Enforced idleness made the waiting more difficult.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- idleness
Usage notes
Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Usually uncountable; no ordinary plural in this sense. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Commonness: moderately common.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.