First Known Use: circa 1656
Dictionary
dawdle
verb daw·dle \ˈdȯ-dəl\
: to move or act too slowly
daw·dleddaw·dling \ˈdȯ-dliŋ, -dəl-iŋ\
Full Definition of DAWDLE
intransitive verb
1
: to spend time idly
2
: to move lackadaisically
transitive verb
: to spend fruitlessly or lackadaisically <dawdled the day away>
— daw·dler \ˈdȯ-dlər, -dəl-ər\ noun
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Origin of DAWDLE
origin unknown
Related to DAWDLE
Synonym Discussion of DAWDLE
delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival <bad weather delayed our arrival>. retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping <language barriers retarded their progress>. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention <medication slowed the patient's heart rate>, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort <on hot days runners slacken their pace>. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time <unexpected business had detained her>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
DAWDLER Defined for Kids
dawdle
verb daw·dle \ˈdȯ-dəl\
daw·dleddaw·dling
Definition of DAWDLE for Kids
1
: to spend time wastefully : dally <He couldn't afford to dawdle. He was way behind the others … — Louis Sachar, Holes>
2
: to move slowly and without purpose <Don't dawdle in the hall.>
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