Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state or condition of being inactive or not engaged in work: "Idling" refers to the act of spending time doing nothing, especially when one is not employed or not performing a productive task. It often implies a temporary state of inactivity or leisure.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Idling is often seen as unproductive time.
  • The machine's constant idling wastes fuel.
  • His period of idling between jobs lasted several months.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory workers were concerned about the forced idling of the production line.
  • She enjoyed a brief idling on the park bench, watching the world go by.
  • Economic downturns can lead to widespread idling in the workforce.

Advanced Usage

• "At idle": in a state of idling or inactivity.
  • The engine was left at idle for too long.
• "Idling away" (phrasal verb form, listed here as it directly relates to the noun's concept): to spend time doing nothing.
  • He was idling away the afternoon. (This example uses the verb "idle"; the noun "idling" conceptualizes this action.)

Variants and Related Words

• Idle (adjective): not active or in use; without purpose or effect.
  • The idle machinery took up space in the warehouse.
• Idle (verb): to spend time doing nothing; to run (an engine) slowly while disconnected from a load.
  • The car idled at the traffic light.
• Idler (noun): a person who idles; a lazy person.
  • He was labeled an idler by his neighbors.

Synonyms

• Inactivity: the state of being inactive.
• Unemployment: the state of having no job.
• Dormancy: a state of rest or inactivity.
• Loafing: spending time lazily or aimlessly.

Antonyms

• Employment: the state of having a paid job.
• Activity: the state of being active.
• Work: activity involving mental or physical effort.
• Industry: diligent work.

Related Phrases

• Idling capacity: the unused productive capacity of a plant or machine.
  • The factory's idling capacity was a sign of low demand.
• To lie idle: to remain unused or inactive.
  • The funds have been lying idle in the account.

Noun

1. having no employment