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

Without any real purpose or effort.

"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 notes

In plain EnglishIn a lazy, unfocused, or aimless way.

Common pairings

sit idly by idly wonder

more idly comparative, most idly superlative

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She sat _____ flipping through the magazine, not really reading it.

From Old English idellice, built on idle + -ly.

Origin: Old English

lazily

lazily

rapidly vividly solidly candidly stupidly morbidly splendidly

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.

lazily