| 释义 |
idleidle1 /ˈaɪdl/ ●○○ adjective ETYMOLOGYidle1Origin: Old English idel ► sit/stand/lie idle Tractors were sitting idle in the fields. ► idle curiosity Out of idle curiosity (=without any real reason or desire to know something), I looked in his drawer. ► idle gossip/chatter/speculation etc. She never took part in the idle office gossip. ► idle threat Haley said he’d quit, and it wasn’t an idle threat (=a threat he did not mean). THESAURUSnot liking work and physical activity, or not making any effort to do anything► lazynot liking work and physical activity, or not making any effort to do anything: He’s too lazy to cook himself dinner. She’s the laziest girl I know. ► idle literary lazy and wasting time: She was an idle and careless girl who liked to gossip instead of working. ► shiftless lazy and not at all interested in working: Some politicians seem to think that anyone who doesn’t have a job is shiftless. ► indolent formal lazy and living a comfortable life: He was the indolent son of wealthy parents. ► slothful literary lazy and not active: The slothful man slept while the others worked in the fields. 1not working or being used: The factory has been idle since May.sit/stand/lie idle Tractors were sitting idle in the fields.2having no useful purpose: Out of idle curiosity (=without any real reason or desire to know something), I looked in his drawer.idle gossip/chatter/speculation etc. She never took part in the idle office gossip. Haley said he’d quit, and it wasn’t an idle threat (=a threat he did not mean).3old-fashioned lazy
► see thesaurus at lazy4the idle rich disapproving rich people who do not have to work—idly adverb |