What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Active vs Idle - What's the difference?

active | idle |

As adjectives the difference between active and idle

is that active is having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives while idle is empty, vacant.

As a noun active

is a person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

As a verb idle is

to spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.

active

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
  • :
  • Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
  • :
  • In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; — opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct.
  • :
  • # Being an active volcano.
  • Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; — opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert.
  • :
  • *
  • *:This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content with the world's apportionment.
  • Requiring or implying action or exertion;—opposed to sedentary or to tranquil.
  • :
  • Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; — opposed to speculative or theoretical.
  • :
  • Brisk; lively.
  • :
  • Implying or producing rapid action.
  • :
  • About verbs.
  • #Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
  • #Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
  • #Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
  • (lb) (of a homosexual man) enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.
  • Synonyms

    * (1): acting * (2): agile, nimble * (3): in action, in force, working * (4): busy, deedful, diligent, energetic * (6): operative, practical * (7): brisk, lively * (9.2): transitive * (10): top * See also

    Antonyms

    * (1): passive * (2): indolent, lethargic * (3): dormant, extinct, quiescent * (4): dull, indolent, inert, sluggish * (5): sedentary, tranquil * (6): speculative, theoretical * (7): slow * (9.1): passive * (10): passive, bottom

    Derived terms

    * cloud-active

    See also

    * versatile (in relation to sense 10 )

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
  • idle

    English

    (wikipedia idle)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (lb) Empty, vacant.
  • Not turned to appropriate use; not occupied.
  • :
  • Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing.
  • :
  • *
  • *:Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.
  • Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.
  • :
  • *
  • *:“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle , brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, the worn-out, passionless men, the enervated matrons of the summer capital,!”
  • Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.
  • :
  • (lb) Light-headed; foolish.
  • :(Ford)
  • Derived terms

    * idle hands are the devil's workshop * idle pulley * idle wheel

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (idl)
  • To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.
  • To lose or spend time doing nothing, or without being employed in business.
  • to idle in an IRC channel
  • * 1939 , Joan Evans, Chateaubriand (page 32)
  • He had already heard of the young man's projected journey — evidently the Comte de Combourg had written many letters while his son idled at St. Malo
  • Of an engine: to run at a slow speed, or out of gear; to tick over.
  • References

    * *

    Anagrams

    * * *