idleness

/ˈaɪdəlnɪs/

/ˈaɪdəlnɛs/

Other forms: idlenesses

Idleness is a characteristic of being inactive. Your idleness over the summer means you really didn't do much — besides snoozing in a hammock and sipping lemonade.

Anything that's not in motion has the quality of idleness, whether it's a car sitting in a parking lot with its motor running or a lazy dog lounging on the couch. This noun is often used to mean laziness, particularly when someone's not doing what they should: "His boss wasn't happy about his idleness at work." You can also use it in a more positive way: "The idleness of lying on the beach all day is my favorite thing ever."

Definitions of idleness

1. noun

   the trait of being idle out of a reluctance to work
   synonyms: faineance

   type of:

   indolence, laziness

   inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
2. noun

   having no employment
   synonyms: idling, loafing

   types:

   dolce far niente

   carefree idleness

   type of:

   inactivity

   being inactive; being less active
3. noun

   the quality of lacking substance or value
   synonyms: groundlessness

   type of:

   ineptitude, worthlessness

   having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful