dally

intransitive-verb
UK: /ˈdæli/
US: /ˈdæli/

  1. To waste time or move slowly.

    1. Don't dally, we need to leave now to catch the bus.
    2. She likes to dally in the garden, enjoying the flowers and sunshine when she can.

  2. To delay taking action or making a decision.

    1. Don't dally any longer, make your choice.
    2. The government cannot dally on this issue; a decision is needed immediately to reassure the public.

  3. To behave in a romantic way, without serious intentions.

    1. They dally in the park every evening.
    2. He's been known to dally with several women, but never commits to a serious relationship.

Synonyms

linger dawdle loiter delay tarry flirt
dally transitive-verb

  1. To waste time.

    1. I will not dally away the morning.
    2. We cannot dally any more time on unimportant details, when big things remain unsolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "dally" in English means: To waste time or move slowly., To delay taking action or making a decision., To behave in a romantic way, without serious intentions..

The phonetic transcription of "dally" is /ˈdæli/ in British English and /ˈdæli/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "dally": linger, dawdle, loiter, delay, tarry, flirt.

Example usage of "dally": "Don't dally, we need to leave now to catch the bus.". More examples on the page.