Standby vs. Idle

Standby vs. Idle — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Standby and Idle

Standbynoun

A state of readiness without immediate involvement; remaining in preparation for (a sudden or unforeseen event or situation).

The troops were on standby in case of an attack.

Idleadjective

(obsolete) Empty, vacant.

Standbynoun

(electronics) sleep mode

Idleadjective

Not being used appropriately; not occupied; (of time) with no, no important, or not much activity.

idle hoursMy computer hibernates after it has been idle for 30 minutes.

Standbynoun

(travel) Waiting at the airport in the hope of getting a seat on a flight that is already booked out.

Idleadjective

Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing in particular.

idle workmen
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Standbynoun

Something that is standard, well-tested, or frequently used.

That recipe is an old standby, and she keeps the ingredients around in case of unexpected guests.

Idleadjective

Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.

an idle fellow

Standbyverb

To wait briefly, as for additional communication by radio or telephone; nocap=1

Standby while I check that for you.

Idleadjective

Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.

an idle story;idle talk;idle rumor

Standbynoun

something that can be relied on when needed

Idleadjective

(obsolete) Light-headed; foolish.

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Standbynoun

an actor able to replace a regular performer when required

Idleverb

(transitive) To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.

Standbyadjective

ready for emergency use;

a standby generatora standby crew

Idleverb

(intransitive) To lose or spend time doing nothing, or without being employed in business.

to idle in an IRC channel

Idleverb

(intransitive) Of an engine: to run at a slow speed, or out of gear; to tick over.

Idlenoun

(gaming) An idle animation.

Idlenoun

(gaming) An idle game.

Idleverb

run disconnected or idle;

the engine is idling

Idleverb

be idle; exist in a changeless situation;

The old man sat and stagnated on his porchHe slugged in bed all morning

Idleadjective

not in action or at work;

an idle laboreridle driftersthe idle richan idle mind

Idleadjective

without a basis in reason or fact;

baseless gossipthe allegations proved groundlessidle fearsunfounded suspicionsunwarranted jealousy

Idleadjective

not in active use;

the machinery sat idle during the strikeidle hands

Idleadjective

silly or trivial;

idle pleasurelight banterlight idle chatter

Idleadjective

lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility;

idle talka loose tongue

Idleadjective

not yielding a return;

dead capitalidle funds

Idleadjective

not having a job;

idle carpentersjobless transientsmany people in the area were out of work