dally

American  

[dal-ee] / ˈdæl i /

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

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verb (used with object)

dallied, dallying

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

dally British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See loiter.

Other Word Forms

• dallier noun
• dallyingly adverb
• undallying adjective

Etymology

Origin of dally

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

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.

From Literature

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Having no wish to dally, he continued steadily northward.

From Literature

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.

From BBC