Dawdle
verb
To waste time or be slow.
He always dawdles and makes us late for school.
Often appears as...
- dawdle along
- dawdle in
verb
To spend time aimlessly, idle.
She spent her days dawdling on the beach.
Often appears as...
- dawdle away
- dawdle over
verb
To waste time or be slow.
He always dawdles and makes us late for school.
Often appears as...
- dawdle along
- dawdle in
verb
To spend time aimlessly, idle.
She spent her days dawdling on the beach.
Often appears as...
- dawdle away
- dawdle over
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
Dawdle often suggests procrastination or avoidable delay, which can be seen as negative.
Stop dawdling with your project; it's due tomorrow!
Pro Tip 2/3Slowness
It implies moving or acting slower than necessary, especially when hurrying is expected.
We missed the beginning of the movie because you were dawdling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Urgency
When someone says 'Don't dawdle,' they are often implying a mild sense of urgency.
Don't dawdle on the way home; dinner will get cold.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
Dawdle often suggests procrastination or avoidable delay, which can be seen as negative.
Stop dawdling with your project; it's due tomorrow!
Pro Tip 2/3Slowness
It implies moving or acting slower than necessary, especially when hurrying is expected.
We missed the beginning of the movie because you were dawdling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Urgency
When someone says 'Don't dawdle,' they are often implying a mild sense of urgency.
Don't dawdle on the way home; dinner will get cold.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Implication
Dawdle often suggests procrastination or avoidable delay, which can be seen as negative.
Stop dawdling with your project; it's due tomorrow!
Pro Tip 2/3Slowness
It implies moving or acting slower than necessary, especially when hurrying is expected.
We missed the beginning of the movie because you were dawdling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Urgency
When someone says 'Don't dawdle,' they are often implying a mild sense of urgency.
Don't dawdle on the way home; dinner will get cold.
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Video examples
A day in the life of a...
and protection from harsh winds in winter. The whole operation requires weeks of strict planning, liaising with the other camps in her domain, strategic delegation – and the patience to move at the speed of dawdling animals. Today is moving day,
Video examples
A librarian's case...
I am lackadaisical, I dawdle and I dillydally. I am also unflappable, languid, stoic, impassive, sluggish, lethargic, placid, calm, mellow, laid-back and, well, slothful!
Video examples
A day in the life of a...
and protection from harsh winds in winter. The whole operation requires weeks of strict planning, liaising with the other camps in her domain, strategic delegation – and the patience to move at the speed of dawdling animals. Today is moving day,
Video examples
A librarian's case...
I am lackadaisical, I dawdle and I dillydally. I am also unflappable, languid, stoic, impassive, sluggish, lethargic, placid, calm, mellow, laid-back and, well, slothful!
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Charlie Brooker
English Critic
The majority of people are perfectly capable of interacting with retail staff without spitting on them or whipping their hides like dawdling cattle, but Planet Earth still harbours more than its fair share of disappointments.
Quote examples
Alan Furst
American Author
The 1930s was a funny time. People knew they might not live for another six months, so if they were attracted to one another, there was no time to dawdle.
Quote examples
Amy Bloom
American Writer
My writing process, such as it is, consists of a lot of noodling, procrastinating, dawdling, and avoiding.
Quote examples
Charlie Brooker
English Critic
The majority of people are perfectly capable of interacting with retail staff without spitting on them or whipping their hides like dawdling cattle, but Planet Earth still harbours more than its fair share of disappointments.
Quote examples
Alan Furst
American Author
The 1930s was a funny time. People knew they might not live for another six months, so if they were attracted to one another, there was no time to dawdle.
Quote examples
Amy Bloom
American Writer
My writing process, such as it is, consists of a lot of noodling, procrastinating, dawdling, and avoiding.
Example 1 of 3
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