dally

[dal-ee]

verb (used without object)

dallied, dallying 

1. to waste time; loiter; delay.

2. to act playfully, especially in an amorous or flirtatious way.

   Synonyms: trifle, tease, flirt

3. to play mockingly; trifle.

   to dally with danger.

   Synonyms: toy

verb (used with object)

dallied, dallying 

1. to waste (time) (usually followed byaway ).

dally

/ ˈdælɪ /

verb

1. to waste time idly; dawdle

2. (usually foll by with) to deal frivolously or lightly with; trifle; toy

   to dally with someone's affections

Other Word Forms

• dallier noun
• dallyingly adverb
• undallying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dally¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dalien from Anglo-French dalier “to chat,” of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of dally¹

C14: from Anglo-French dalier to gossip, of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See loiter.

Example Sentences

To dither and dally when the window of opportunity opens means to end up with one’s nose pressed against the glass of fate, gazing with regret at what might have been.

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I have been dallying and making a gluten-free french toast with some nice seeds, vanilla, cinnamon and berries.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He must surely know by now - but this needless dallying around the edge of the subject is now becoming faintly farcical.

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Having no wish to dally, he continued steadily northward.

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Rabbi Matondo then spurned a big chance to double Rangers' lead on the brink of half-time, dallying on the ball and allowing Atkinson to get back and block the shot.

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