dawdle

[dawd-l]

verb (used without object)

dawdled, dawdling 

1. to waste time; idle; trifle; loiter.

   Stop dawdling and help me with these packages!

2. to move slowly, languidly, or dilatorily; saunter.

verb (used with object)

dawdled, dawdling 

1. to waste (time) by or as if by trifling (usually followed byaway ).

   He dawdled away the whole morning.

   Synonyms: trifle, idle, putter, fritter

dawdle

/ ˈdɔːdəl /

verb

1. (intr) to be slow or lag behind

2. to waste (time); trifle

Other Word Forms

• dawdler noun
• dawdlingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dawdle¹

First recorded in 1650–60; variant of daddle “to toddle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dawdle¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See loiter.

Example Sentences

“I wish you wouldn’t dawdle so, Margaret! I have been standing here for the better part of a minute. Now draw me a bath, please, and lay out a fresh gown.”

Read more on Literature

In France's tournament opener, after their heavy brigade had bashed away at a stubborn Wales defence for 12 phases, Dupont picked up the ball and dawdled sideways and backwards off the back of the breakdown.

Read more on BBC

She has set a six-minute daily time limit as a reminder not to dawdle on Instagram.

Read more on Seattle Times

While these cities dawdle, the region’s residents suffer the effects of the housing shortage: high rents, overcrowding, eviction and homelessness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The confidence of the Russian military reflected the Kremlin’s knowledge that Ukraine’s ammunition supplies were dwindling as the U.S. dawdled over approving more military aid.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• laze 
• loiter 
• mosey 
• procrastinate 
• saunter