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Definition of idly adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

idly

adverb
 
/ˈaɪdli/
 
/ˈaɪdli/
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  1. without any particular reason, purpose or effort; doing nothing
    • She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink.
    • He wondered idly what would happen.
    • We can't stand idly by (= do nothing) and let people starve.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryIdly is used with these verbs:
    • flick
    • listen
    • pick
    See full entry
See idly in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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