# idly

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈaɪd(ə)lɪ/ · frequency rank #31,612

## Definitions
1. Without specific purpose, intent or effort.
2. In an idle manner.

## Etymology
From Middle English idely, ydelly, idelliche, from Old English īdellīċe, equivalent to idle + -ly.

## Easily confused with
- **ill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ill)
- **ivy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ivy)
- **IRL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-irl)
- **IDS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ids)
- **IPL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ipl)
- **ilk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ilk)
- **ile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ile)
- **ILS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ils)
- **idol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-idol)
- **isle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-isle)
- **Indy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-indy)
- **iggy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-iggy)
- **Isla** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-isla)
- **Izzy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-izzy)
- **ills** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ills)
- **Ilya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-ilya)
- **iffy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-iffy)
- **inky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-inky)
- **itty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-itty)
- **Italy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idly-vs-italy)

## Common misspellings (6)
`dily`, `iddly`, `idlly`, `idlyy`, `idyl`, `ildy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/idly