idyll

noun

ˈī-dᵊl How to pronounce idyll (audio)
 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the idyll of her dreams bring her closer to the abyss. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 13 May 2025 The point seems to be the act itself: sitting in nude serenity among family, friends and strangers, safe in the bone-deep sense of trust that such an idyll both requires and reinforces. Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Jeremy McLennan, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Image Image Without regular mail service, none of this annual idyll would have been possible, Ms. Wirkkala said. Julie Lasky, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 But the idyll is illusory – Kashmir is one of the world’s most militarized regions and the trigger for multiple wars between India and Pakistan, who both claim the territory in full but control only in part. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for idyll

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of idyll was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idyll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idyll. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

idyll

noun
variants also idyl
1
: a simple poetic or prose work that describes peaceful country life
2
: a scene or event one might write an idyll about

More from Merriam-Webster on idyll

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