dillydally

[ dil-ee-dal-ee, -dal- ]

verb (used without object)

, dil·ly·dal·lied, dil·ly·dal·ly·ing.

1. to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dillydally¹

First recorded in 1735–45; gradational reduplication of dally