Idlest: meaning, definitions and examples

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idlest

 

[ ˈaɪ.dəl.ɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

state of inactivity

Idlest is the superlative form of idle, which describes a state of inaction or lack of activity. In a broad sense, it refers to being at rest or not engaged in work or activity. When something is idlest, it suggests that it is doing nothing the most compared to others. This term can apply to people, objects, or places that are devoid of action or movement. It often carries a negative connotation when used to describe people as it emphasizes laziness or unwillingness to work.

Synonyms

laziest, most inactive, most indolent

Examples of usage

  • He was the idlest student in the class.
  • During the winter, the farm remained idlest.
  • His idlest days were spent watching television.
  • The idlest machines in the factory needed maintenance.

Translations

Translations of the word "idlest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ocioso

🇮🇳 निष्क्रिय

🇩🇪 träge

🇮🇩 malas

🇺🇦 байдужий

🇵🇱 bezczynny

🇯🇵 怠惰な

🇫🇷 oisif

🇪🇸 inactivo

🇹🇷 tembel

🇰🇷 게으른

🇸🇦 كسول

🇨🇿 nečinný

🇸🇰 nečinný

🇨🇳 懒惰的

🇸🇮 neaktiven

🇮🇸 daufur

🇰🇿 бос

🇬🇪 ქმედების გარეშე

🇦🇿 tənbəl

🇲🇽 inactivo

Etymology

The term 'idle' originates from the Old English word 'idla', which means 'empty' or 'useless'. This word has cognates in other Germanic languages, reflecting a common theme of lack or void. Over the centuries, its meaning broadened to include the idea of being inactive or avoiding work. The superlative 'idlest' is formed by standard English morphological patterns, adding '-est' to denote the extreme degree of the quality being described. The concept of idleness often carries social implications, where being idle can be associated with laziness or lack of productivity. In historical contexts, such as the Industrial Revolution, idleness was viewed negatively, as it stood in stark contrast to the burgeoning work ethic of the time. Today, while leisure and relaxation are more acknowledged as important, the term 'idlest' still retains its negative connotation when describing prolonged inactivity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,737, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.