idle
adjective
not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing.
idles
-
present tense formof idle (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Your internal machinery fires when you want to sleep and idles when you need to be sharp.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
On a warm day in mid-May, Grohl appears relaxed and self-assured — but not arrogant — as she idles on a sofa in a cozy Studio City ADU owned by her publicist.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
As I sit in the car with C after the second ICE vehicle sped off, the remaining Wagoneer idles midblock—right in front of C’s house.
From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2026
An on-board computer steers the kite into the prevailing current, then idles it at slack tide, maintaining a constant depth in the water column.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2021
A line of black town cars idles at the curb while their drivers smoke and chat with each other.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
