idly

[ ahyd-lee ]

adverb

1. without taking action or showing concern:

   We cannot stand idly by and let evil prevail!

2. without apparent purpose or intention; aimlessly:

   He would tinker idly in his workshop for hours.

3. in a lazy way; indolently:

   Neither of them does anything much in life besides live idly or recklessly.

Other Words From

• o·ver·i·dly adverb
• un·i·dly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of idly¹

id(le) ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“The conservative groups would sit by idly when there are a disproportionate number of Black people in jails and prisons,” Howard said.

From Los Angeles Times

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK would not sit “idly by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention”.

From BBC

But, even if many users are just idly browsing without any real intention of moving, it is still worth it to have properties on there.”

From BBC

Melanie isn’t willing to stand idly by as her husband flip-flops for votes.

From Los Angeles Times

Israel "cannot sit idly by and wait for the spectacle of buses and cafes exploding in city centres", Mr Danon said in a post on X.

From BBC

Related Words

• leisurely
• nonchalantly
• slowly