What is the opposite of “idle”?

What is the antonym of “idle”?

The antonyms of idle are active, busy, and industrious. These words describe a state of being occupied or engaged in some activity, rather than being inactive or doing nothing.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

active

Engaged in physical or mental activity; moving or working.

Example

She leads an active lifestyle, going for a run every morning before work.

busy

Having a great deal to do; occupied with tasks or activities.

Example

He's always busy with work, meetings, and appointments.

industrious

Diligent and hardworking; constantly engaged in productive activity.

Example

The industrious student spent hours studying for the exam and aced it.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Active implies physical or mental movement, while busy implies having a lot of tasks or responsibilities to attend to.
• 2. Industrious is similar to busy but emphasizes being productive and hardworking rather than just having a lot to do.

Good things to know

• 1. Workplace Communication: Use these antonyms to describe work habits and productivity levels.
• 2. Time Management: Incorporate these words in discussions about how to manage time effectively.
• 3. Describing People: Utilize these antonyms to describe people's personalities and lifestyles.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of idle describe a state of being occupied or engaged in some activity. Active implies physical or mental movement, busy implies having a lot of tasks or responsibilities to attend to, and industrious emphasizes being productive and hardworking. Use these words to enhance workplace communication, discuss time management, and describe people's personalities and lifestyles.