idler

[ ahyd-ler ]

noun

1. a person who passes time in a lazy or unproductive way.
2. Machinery. an idle gear, wheel, or pulley.
3. Railroads. an empty freight car placed under the projecting end of a long object carried by the next car, so that the latter can be connected with another part of the train.
4. Nautical. day man ( def 2 ).

idler

/ ˈaɪdlə /

noun

1. a person who idles
2. See idle wheel, idle pulley
   another name for idle pulley idle wheel
3. nautical a ship's crew member, such as a carpenter, sailmaker, etc, whose duties do not include standing regular watches

Word History and Origins

Origin of idler¹

First recorded in 1525–35; idle + -er ¹

Example Sentences

But this alternately joyous and silent idler, this soldier of no regiment and no detail—was he playing a man's part in the war?

From Project Gutenberg

And meantime there goes the idler, who began life along with them—by your leave, a different picture.

From Project Gutenberg

The references towards the end are to the illustrations in the pages of The Idler.

From Project Gutenberg

Beside him sat Robert Bertram, the club idler, slender and languidly elegant.

From Project Gutenberg

Weel, time gaed by: and the idler sort commenced to think mair lichtly o' that black business.

From Project Gutenberg