Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of idle.
  • noun An idle period; something done idly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun having no employment

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word idling.

Examples

  • “The genius of idling is not its avoidance of work but rather its construction of a value system entirely independent of work.”

    Cover to Cover 2009

  • “The genius of idling is not its avoidance of work but rather its construction of a value system entirely independent of work.”

    Cover to Cover 2009

  • The current economic crisis isn't helping, however, as Severstal Wheeling has initiated a long-term idling of its local plants along the Ohio River.

    The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register 2009

  • As of Aug. 5, 21 complaints of long-term idling had been reported to the city's Environmental Services department, city spokesman Matt Laible said.

    Minnesota Premier Publications - Southwest Journal Stories 2008

  • I know idling is bad for the air we all breathe, and I should turn off the engine to pump gas, and I won’t leave a child in a closed up car in the summer, and sometimes you can’t pay at the pump even if you want to.

    Home Alone | Her Bad Mother 2010

  • I’m not disagreeing with your conclusion, I’m just wondering — regenerative braking isn’t the only source of increased efficiency in hybrids (the lack of idling is another big one, for example.)

    Waldo Jaquith - New year’s resolution follow-up. 2007

  • Otherwise, it's sitting there idling, which isn't good for anyone.

    KansasCity.com: Front Page 2011

  • "Otherwise, it's sitting there idling, which isn't good for anyone."

    KansasCity.com: Front Page 2011

  • These neurons, called idling neurons, are still alive, but have been damaged to the extent that their function is compromised.

    WN.com - Articles related to These old eyes 2010

  • These neurons, called idling neurons, are still alive, but have been damaged to the extent that their function is compromised.

    WN.com - Articles related to These old eyes 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.