Dilly-dally
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈdɪliˌdæli/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Dilly-dally is a verb meaning (intransitive) To dawdle; to waste time; to procrastinate.
Meaning
(intransitive) To dawdle; to waste time; to procrastinate.
Example Sentences
“I wouldn't dilly-dally long if I were you,” said Harkless, and his advice seemed good to the shell-men.
It is something to have been an old soldier, but more still to have been a doctor. There is no time to dilly-dally in our work.
It likewise manifests the frankness of men who do not dilly-dally with terms, but who say what they mean, and who mean to settle down to a long, hard fight.
No one can accuse the filmmakers of dillydallying; no sooner have the opening credits ended than we’re watching, via a mirrored ceiling, a couple writhing naked in coital ecstasy.
Word Forms
- dilly-dallies
- dilly-dallying
- dilly-dallied
- dillydally
Synonyms for dilly-dally
Depending on context, synonyms include bludge, cabbage, dally, dawdle, diddle, dretch.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include procrastinate, stall, dawdle, delaying, hobble, prevaricating.
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.