dally
verb (used without object)
to waste time; loiter; delay.
dallied
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past participleof dally.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof dally.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
dallyverb (used without object)to waste time; loiter; delay.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rennes midfielder Quentin Merlin dallied deep in his own area and was ambushed by Timothy Weah who passed to Amine Gouiri.
From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026
It, along with its sibling, had stood empty for nearly 25 years, as local, county and Navy authorities dallied on what to do with them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2023
After the fourth try, scored by Etzebeth, made it 26-25, Dupont dallied on the ball and got knocked back as South Africa won a penalty and went further ahead.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2023
For example, the amateur developers who used Reddit’s API to build their own compatible mobile apps while the company dallied on making an official, workable one.
From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2023
Most of the northern half had moved to the kitchen to get fed but Caesar dallied.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
