lallygag

American

[lah-lee-gag, lal-ee-] / ˈlɑ liˌgæg, ˈlæl i- /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

lallygagged, lallygagging

lollygag.

lallygag British

/ ˈlælɪˌɡæɡ /

verb

(intr) to loiter aimlessly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does lallygag mean? To lallygag is to dilly-dally, dawdle, loaf around, or goof off. If you’re lallygagging, you’re wasting time by moving slowly or doing something less important than what you should be (or doing nothing at all). Lallygag is synonymous with the very similar spelled lollygag, which is much more commonly used. Both are very informal and are primarily used in the United States. Example: Coach yelled at Spencer for lallygagging at practice.

Etymology

Origin of lallygag

C20: of unknown origin

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.

What cares Flaccus if he may Lallygag with Lalage!

From A line-o'-verse or two by Taylor, Bert Leston

Oh, that I might all the day Lallygag with Lalage!

From A line-o'-verse or two by Taylor, Bert Leston

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023