French translation of idle is 
idle

Meaning of "idle" in English

In English, "idle" refers to a state of inactivity or laziness. It can describe a person who is avoiding work, someone who is doing nothing productive, or machinery and engines that are switched on but not in operation. The term can also imply a lack of purpose or effectiveness, often carrying a slightly negative connotation of time wasted or opportunities missed. In technological contexts, "idle" can describe systems or programs that are running but not currently being used to their full capacity.

Meaning of "idle" in French

In French, "idle" is translated as "inactif" or "oisif" when referring to people and can mean without occupation or activity. It can also describe machinery being on but unused, known as "au ralenti." The word conveys a sense of non-productivity, similar to its English counterpart, but may have a softer tone in certain contexts, focusing more on the state of rest over laziness or neglect.

Pronunciation of "idle" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈaɪ.dəl/

Pronunciation Variations: The word "idle" is typically pronounced as /ˈaɪ.dəl/ in standard American and British English. There might be slight variations in pronunciation depending on regional accents, but these do not significantly alter the word's sound.

Pronunciation of "idle" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /i.dl/

Pronunciation Variations: In French, "idle" when translated to "inactif" or "oisif" can be pronounced with regional accents that might slightly alter the ending sounds, though generally, it remains consistent across different French-speaking areas.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. The factory has been idle since last year. (L'usine est inactive depuis l'année dernière.)
2. He spent the afternoon in idle chatter. (Il a passé l'après-midi à bavarder sans but.)
3. Many workers were left idle due to the strike. (De nombreux travailleurs ont été laissés inactifs à cause de la grève.)
4. His engine was idling at the roadside. (Son moteur tournait au ralenti sur le bord de la route.)
5. She was not idle for a moment during the project. (Elle n'était pas inactive un seul instant pendant le projet.)
6. The computer sat idle for hours. (L'ordinateur est resté inactif pendant des heures.)
7. It's not good to remain idle for too long. (Il n'est pas bon de rester inactif trop longtemps.)
8. Their idle hands found nothing to do. (Leurs mains oisives n'ont rien trouvé à faire.)
9. Don't just sit idle—help us with the preparations! (Ne reste pas inactif—viens nous aider avec les préparatifs !)
10. He is criticized for his idle lifestyle. (Il est critiqué pour son mode de vie oisif.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "idle" in English

Synonyms: inactive, lazy, unoccupied, sluggish, dormant, unemployed, unproductive, listless, loafing, still.

Antonyms: active, busy, industrious, diligent, engaged, bustling, hardworking, productive, occupied, energetic.

Similar Words: passive, inert, latent, resting, unused, static, leisured, stagnant, vacant, indifferent.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "idle" in French

Synonyms: inactif, oisif, paresseux, inoccupé, fainéant, inemployé, improductif, désoeuvré, apathique, inopérant.

Antonyms: actif, occupé, industrieux, diligent, engagé, affairé, travailleur, productif, dynamique, énergique.

Similar Words: passif, inerte, latent, au repos, inutilisé, statique, détendu, stagnant, vacant, indifférent.

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