vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow mean being without worth or significance.

vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity.

inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

idle, loaf, lounge, loll, laze mean to spend time doing nothing.

idle may be used in reference to persons that move lazily or without purpose.

loaf suggests either resting or wandering about as though there were nothing to do.

lounge, though occasionally used as equal to idle or loaf, typically conveys an additional implication of resting or reclining against a support or of physical comfort and ease in relaxation.

loll also carries an implication of a posture similar to that of lounge, but places greater stress upon an indolent or relaxed attitude.

laze usually implies the relaxation of a busy person enjoying a vacation or moments of leisure.