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
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
The strike idles many entertainment industry workers, delaying the start of the television season until November.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2023
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
The car idles in front of my house.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
