dillydally
[ dil-ee-dal-ee, -dal- ]
/ ˈdɪl iˌdæl i, -ˈdæl- /
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verb (used without object), dil·ly·dal·lied, dil·ly·dal·ly·ing.
to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.
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Origin of dillydally
First recorded in 1735–45; gradational reduplication of dally
Words nearby dillydally
Dillon, dill pickle, dillweed, dilly, dilly bag, dillydally, diltiazem, diltiazem hydrochloride, diluent, dilute, dilution
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for dillydally
dilly-dally
/ (ˌdɪlɪˈdælɪ) /
verb -lies, -lying or -lied
(intr) informal to loiter or vacillate
Word Origin for dilly-dally
C17: by reduplication from dally
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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