Idler: meaning, definitions and examples

Expresses the same meaning as the previous context. Primarily used in literature or formal speech.

• An idler by nature, he preferred to sit by the river all day.
• The town had no room for idlers, everyone had to contribute.

Describes a person who is habitually lazy or idle. It is often used informally and can be slightly derogatory.

• He's been a loafer since losing his job.
• I can't stand loafers who expect everything to be handed to them.

Commonly used in everyday speech to describe someone who avoids work, often implying irresponsibility. It usually has a mildly negative tone.

• Our team can't afford any slackers if we want to meet the deadline.
• She's worried her son might become a slacker if he doesn't change his ways.

Informal term often used to criticize someone who avoids work or is perceived as lazy. It usually carries a negative connotation.

• Stop being such a layabout and help me with the chores!
• The town's layabouts gathered at the park, doing nothing all day.

Use when referring to a component in mechanical systems that can redirect or adjust the tension of a belt without adding any power.

• The idler keeps the belt in the correct position.

Utilized when describing a rotating machine part having cut teeth, which mesh with another toothed part to transmit torque. Also used in non-literal contexts to talk about equipment or readiness.

• He shifted the car into third gear.
• Make sure your camping gear is packed and ready.

Specific to a wheel on an axle or shaft designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt.

• The pulley helped to lift the heavy load with minimal effort.

Refers to each of the projecting teeth on a wheel that engages with another in a mechanical device. Often used in discussions about machinery or in a metaphorical sense to describe someone in a larger organization.

• The cog in the machinery was damaged and needed replacement.
• He's just a small cog in the big corporate machine.