Meaning of dawdle in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈdɔdl/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   dawdle

   Etymology

   mid 17th century: related to dialect daddle, doddle ‘dally’

   Definitions

   1. take one's time

   Examples

   • « proceed slowly »

   Antonyms

   • rush
   • hotfoot
   • hasten
   • hie
   • speed
   • race
   • pelt along
   • rush along
   • cannonball along
   • bucket along
   • belt along

   Derived terms

   • dawdler
   • drone
   • laggard
   • lagger
   • trailer
2. 2. waste time

   Examples

   • « Get busy--don't dally! »

   Derived terms

   • dalliance
   • dallier
   • dawdler
   • dawdling
   • dilly-dallier
   • dillydallier
   • drone
   • laggard
   • lagger
   • lounger
   • mope
   • trailer
   • trifling
   • wasting time
3. 3. hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.

   Derived terms

   • dawdler
   • drone
   • lag
   • laggard
   • lagger
   • retardation
   • slowdown
   • trailer

Browse dictionary

• dawah
• daw
• Davy lamp
• Davy Jones's locker
• dawdle
• dawdler
• dawdling
• Dawes
• dawn