idly
without taking action or showing concern: We cannot stand idly by and let evil prevail!
without apparent purpose or intention; aimlessly: He would tinker idly in his workshop for hours.
in a lazy way; indolently:Neither of them does anything much in life besides live idly or recklessly.
Origin of idly
1Other words from idly
- o·ver·i·dly, adverb
- un·i·dly, adverb
Words Nearby idly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use idly in a sentence
The period of time listed on this menu—ranging from 15 seconds to 30 minutes—controls how long your phone will sit idle before going into standby and displaying the lock screen.
Android security settings you should check right now | David Nield | September 24, 2020 | Popular-ScienceScripps may have been a millionaire – the equivalent of a billionaire today – but she was no shill for the idle rich.
Suffragette City: San Diego’s Crucial Role in Getting Women the Vote | Randy Dotinga | August 6, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThey launched a new service – previously there was an offline point, which is now closed, and the equipment is idle.
These governments have been paying idled employees 60 to 90 percent of their wages through their employer.
How to Prevent Another Great Depression (Ep. 421) | Stephen J. Dubner | June 11, 2020 | FreakonomicsSo, after years of idle complaining, I finally decided to try to do something about it.
America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up (Ep. 391) | Steven D. Levitt | October 3, 2019 | Freakonomics
After idly admiring the work for almost a week, Iolas gained the courage to enter his very first gallery.
The street vendor, an older man in a baseball hat, sits by idly as tourists flood past the table.
Banksy’s Biggest Trick Yet: Selling His Art on the Street for $60 | Isabel Wilkinson | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is more honor in death than watching a single Egyptian harmed while its Army is standing idly by.
As Protests Roil Egypt, Some In Opposition Bring Arms To ‘Defend Themselves’ | Mike Giglio | June 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST"We cannot stand idly by and allow such atrocities to continue," he said.
Israel To Compensate Turkish Flotilla Victims Who Drop Lawsuits | Orly Halpern | May 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter finishing his massacre, Holmes walked out to the movie-theater parking lot, and reportedly began idly firing at his car.
A Look at the Aurora Shooter’s Guns, Including the AR-15 | Alex Klein | July 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTidly his pen traced upon the paper in front of him a large X, the sign of the unknown quantity.
Uncanny Tales | VariousThe countenances round him turned sinister, but not idly, negatively sinister: they grew dark with purpose.
Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon BlackwoodEdna was sitting on the tabouret, idly brushing the tips of a feather duster along the carpet when he came in again.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThe Nora lies becalmed not far from the Goodwin buoy, with her sails hanging idly on the yards.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneHe watches the budding of evil instincts, the ignoble habits idly acquired in degradation.
Charles Baudelaire, His Life | Thophile Gautier
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