idyll

noun

ˈī-dᵊl 

 British usually  ˈi-(ˌ)dil

variants or less commonly idyl

1

a

: a simple descriptive work in poetry or prose that deals with rustic life or pastoral scenes or suggests a mood of peace and contentment

b

: a narrative poem (such as Tennyson's Idylls of the King) treating an epic, romantic, or tragic theme

2

a

: a lighthearted carefree episode that is a fit subject for an idyll

b

: a romantic interlude

Synonyms

• binge
• fling
• frisk
• frolic
• gambol
• lark
• ploy
• revel
• rollick
• romp
• spree

Examples of idyll in a Sentence

her year as a vineyard worker in the south of France was not the idyll that she had expected it to be

Recent Examples on the Web

This array of circumstances — what supporters call a pastoral idyll and critics call ripe for worker abuse — has led to frequent conflict between labor advocates and ranchers in recent years. —Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2025

In the post-war years, growing numbers of Americans pursued a suburban idyll of modern convenience. —David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Somehow the zombies have reached this isolated rural idyll and things go south fast. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024

Television—as noise, as news, as something to do instead of killing yourself—stalks the text of this lyric, undermining the poetic form’s association with idyll. —The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin idyllium, from Greek eidyllion, from diminutive of eidos form; akin to Greek idein to see — more at wit

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

idyll

noun

variants also idyl

ˈīd-ᵊl 

1

: a simple poetic or prose work that describes peaceful country life

2

: a scene or event one might write an idyll about