procrastinate

[ proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh- ]

/ proʊˈkræs təˌneɪt, prə- /

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See synonyms for: procrastinate / procrastinating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

verb (used with object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

OTHER WORDS FOR procrastinate

2 prolong, postpone.

See synonyms for procrastinate on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of procrastinate

1580–90; <Latin prōcrāstinātus (past participle of prōcrāstināre to put off until tomorrow, equivalent to prō-pro-¹ + -crāstināre, derivative of crāstinus of tomorrow; crās tomorrow + -tinus suffix forming adjectives from temporal adverbs); see -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM procrastinate

pro·cras·ti·nat·ing·ly, pro·cras·ti·na·tive·ly, adverbpro·cras·ti·na·tion, nounpro·cras·ti·na·tive, pro·cras·ti·na·to·ry

[proh-kras-tuh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, pruh-], /proʊˈkræs tə nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, prə-/, adjectivepro·cras·ti·na·tive·ness, noun

pro·cras·ti·na·tor, nouno·ver·pro·cras·ti·na·tion, nounun·pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, adjective

Words nearby procrastinate

Procne, pro-Communist, proconsul, proconsulate, Procopius, procrastinate, procrastination, Procrastination is the thief of time, procreant, procreate, procreation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use procrastinate in a sentence

He doesn’t procrastinate — he has a 107-page résumé, he said, because he gets things done — but he’s built a career around understanding those who do.
Why do we procrastinate, and how can we stop? Experts have answers.|Angela Haupt|July 9, 2021|Washington Post
We’re all guilty of procrastinating on any errand that doesn’t feel urgent, particularly if it involves a process of suboptimal efficiency.
The U.S. Is Entering a New COVID-19 Vaccination Crisis|Chris Wilson|May 10, 2021|Time
Announcing the TC Early Stage Pitch-Off startupsStop procrastinating and jump on this opportunity to double your knowledge and build a stronger startup.
Last chance to save on dual-event passes to Early Stage 2021|Alexandra Ames|March 26, 2021|TechCrunch
Kooper procrastinated, as usual, but now also found it harder to focus when deadlines hit.
The Lost Year: What the Pandemic Cost Teenagers|by Alec MacGillis, photography by Celeste Sloman|March 8, 2021|ProPublica

Make your own classic sparkly ball or piñataIf you haven’t packed away your Christmas lights yet, here’s another reason to procrastinate.
Make your own New Year’s ball, and 4 other family party ideas|Purbita Saha|December 31, 2020|Popular-Science
I used to be a reporter, and there is no better way to procrastinate while writing than research.
Book Bag: The Best Heists in Fact, Film, and Fiction|Matthew Quirk|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Techies know they hold all the cards to the obscure and procrastinate on the grounds of engineering mysteries.
What’s Behind the Obamacare Cock-Up|Tina Brown|October 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He therefore began in January to procrastinate, and consequently it was not until February that Francis demanded an advance.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
This last reason displeased old Solomon, for it was an encouragement to the birds to procrastinate.
The Little White Bird|J. M. Barrie
Since complete purification can thus be only once obtained, he was desirous to procrastinate that ceremony to the last moment.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints|Joseph Smith
And long have the priesthood dreaded, and anxiously have they endeavored to procrastinate, the arrival of this period.
Biblical Extracts|Robert Cooper
Drawing nearer, he made out the smouldering log; cowardice prompted him to procrastinate, he crept round behind it.
Murder Point|Coningsby Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for procrastinate

procrastinate

/ (prəʊˈkræstɪˌneɪt, prə-) /

verb

(usually intr) to put off or defer (an action) until a later time; delay

Derived forms of procrastinate

procrastination, nounprocrastinator, noun

Word Origin for procrastinate

C16: from Latin prōcrāstināre to postpone until tomorrow, from pro- 1 + crās tomorrow

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

procrastinate

OTHER WORDS FOR procrastinate

Origin of procrastinate

OTHER WORDS FROM procrastinate

Words nearby procrastinate

Words related to procrastinate

How to use procrastinate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for procrastinate

Derived forms of procrastinate

Word Origin for procrastinate