idler

American  

[ahyd-ler] / ˈaɪd lər /

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.

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idler British  

/ ˈaɪdlə /

noun

1. a person who idles

2. 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

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Etymology

Origin of idler

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

Example Sentences

Ripley, a slacker and a con man grinding out a living in postwar New York, is sent to Italy to try to persuade a trust-funded idler to come home and take over the family business.

From New York Times

There is an almost continuous succession of scenes in which Nicholson sketches this idler, lover, jokester, manipulator, con man, gambler, loner.

From Los Angeles Times

Callers have denounced them as idlers and traitors, or as taking sides in the conflict.

From New York Times

“I never carry idlers on my ship! Between ports, a clerk isn’t worth the hardtack to keep him alive.”

From Literature

This is something I have thought about more and more in recent years, and it is why I have always preferred doers to idlers, whiners and excuse-makers.

From Washington Post