IDLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does idly mean? 

• IDLY (adverb)
  The adverb IDLY has 1 sense:

1. in an idle manner

  Familiarity information: IDLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IDLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an idle manner

Synonyms:

idly; lazily

Context example:

this is what I always imagined myself doing in the south of France, sitting idly, drinking coffee, watching the people

Pertainym:

idle (not in action or at work)

 Context examples 

And so I caught myself standing idly and studying him.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Before the night shut down she was seen with sails idly flapping as she gently rolled on the undulating swell of the sea.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

To and fro, up and down, north, south, east, and west, the HISPANIOLA sailed by swoops and dashes, and at each repetition ended as she had begun, with idly flapping canvas.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Henry and her own heart only were privy to the shocking suspicions which she had so idly entertained; and equally safe did she believe her secret with each.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

During most of this short dialogue, when he had not been speaking in a wild vivacious manner, he had sat idly beating on the lump of coal with the poker.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Fresh upon his months of mastery over his own team-mates, it was beyond his self-control to stand idly by while another devoured the meat that belonged to him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The book slipped from his hands to the ground, and they sat idly and silently, gazing out over the dreamy bay with eyes that dreamed and did not see.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It was a pictorial sheet, and Jo examined the work of art nearest her, idly wondering what fortuitous concatenation of circumstances needed the melodramatic illustration of an Indian in full war costume, tumbling over a precipice with a wolf at his throat, while two infuriated young gentlemen, with unnaturally small feet and big eyes, were stabbing each other close by, and a disheveled female was flying away in the background with her mouth wide open.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And yet my thoughts were idle; not intent on the calamity that weighed upon my heart, but idly loitering near it.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)