dillydally
verb (used without object)
to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.
dillydallied
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past participleof dillydally.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof dillydally.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
dillydallyverb (used without object)to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.
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.
So it’s not as if the plaintiffs dillydallied in bringing their challenge.
From Slate ● Dec. 5, 2025
All three airlines I contacted delayed, obfuscated or otherwise dillydallied before getting me answers, but let’s start with your travel agent, American Express.
From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2024
Alas, Oscar dillydallied and Florence instead married a kindhearted young clerk who eventually became the manager of the great actor Sir Henry Irving.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 20, 2016
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball has dillydallied over hiring female umpires for years, but has still never lifted a female ump above the Double-A level.
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2014
He had delayed and dillydallied in order to give his horse time to eat.
From Gabriel Tolliver A Story of Reconstruction by Joel Chandler Harris
