idly
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for idly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Without any real purpose or effort.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use idly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sit idly by
idly wonder
Etymology
From Old English idellice, built on idle + -ly.
Full origin of idly →Frequently asked questions
What does “idly” mean?
The word “idly” means without any real purpose or effort. In plain terms, in a lazy, unfocused, or aimless way.
How do you pronounce “idly”?
“Idly” is pronounced YD-lih (/ˈaɪd(ə)lɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “idly” in a sentence?
Here is “idly” used in a sentence: “She sat idly flipping through the magazine, not really reading it.”
What part of speech is “idly”?
“Idly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “idly” come from?
The word “idly” comes from Old English. From Old English idellice, built on idle + -ly.