What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loitering
Example
The police officer asked the group of teenagers to stop loitering outside the store. [loitering: verb]
Example
Loitering around the park all day is not a productive use of time. [loitering: gerund or present participle]
idling
Example
The car engine was idling while we waited for our friend to come out of the store. [idling: verb]
Example
Idling away the afternoon instead of studying for the exam was not a good idea. [idling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idling is more commonly used than loitering in everyday language. Idling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while loitering is less common and often used in legal or law enforcement contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between loitering and idling?
Both loitering and idling are relatively informal words, but loitering can be associated with a more serious or formal tone due to its legal implications.
