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Idle vs Frivolous - What's the difference?

idle | frivolous | Related terms |

Idle is a related term of frivolous.


As adjectives the difference between idle and frivolous

is that idle is (lb) empty, vacant while frivolous is silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner.

As a verb idle

is to spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.

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

    * * *

    frivolous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Silly, especially at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate manner.
  • * '>citation
  • * Factcheck.org[http://www.factcheck.org/article133.html]:
  • One of the major cost drivers in the delivery of health care are these junk and frivolous lawsuits.
  • Of little weight or importance; not worth notice; slight.
  • In litigation, a lawsuit filed by a party who is aware the claim is without merit and has no reasonable prospect of success because of a lack of supporting legal or factual basis.
  • Derived terms

    * frivolent * frivolously * frivolousness