What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
footle
Example
Stop footling around and get back to work. [footle: verb]
Example
I spent the whole day footling around the house, doing nothing productive. [footling: gerund or present participle]
idle
Example
He has been idle since he lost his job. [idle: adjective]
Example
I often find myself idling away my time on social media. [idling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idle is more commonly used than footle in everyday language. Idle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while footle is less common and refers to a playful or aimless activity that is not productive or useful.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between footle and idle?
While footle is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, idle can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
