adv
idly
YD-lih
Idly (adv) means Without any real purpose or effort. Example: “She sat idly flipping through the magazine, not really reading it.”
adv
1
Without any real purpose or effort.
"I idly played with the paper, not even realizing I was folding it into a paper airplane."
"She sat idly flipping through the magazine, not really reading it."
"He idly wondered what would have happened if he'd taken the other job."
How to use idly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a lazy, unfocused, or aimless way.
Common pairings
sit idly by
idly wonder
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like idly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more idly
- Superlative
- most idly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She sat _____ flipping through the magazine, not really reading it.
Etymology
From Old English idellice, built on idle + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for idly
See all rhymes for 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.
