dally with

phrasal-verb
UK: /ˈdæli wɪð/
US: /ˈdæli wɪθ/

  1. To spend time in a relaxed way, doing things that are not important.

    1. I like to dally with my cat, because it's very cute and calm.
    2. Don't dally with your work; you need to focus and be more productive, not leisurely.

  2. To consider something, but not seriously or with real intent to proceed.

    1. He would dally with the idea of a trip, but never plan it.
    2. The company will dally with the proposal, however they're unlikely to invest in it.

  3. To have a casual romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

    1. She likes to dally with boys, but don't want marriage.
    2. He used to dally with many women when he was younger, but now he wants a serious relationship.

Synonyms

trifle tarry dawdle flirt linger
dally with intransitive-verb

  1. To act playfully, especially in a romantic or sexual way.

    1. They dally with each other at school.
    2. She would dally with her date during party, enjoying the flirtatious interaction.

  2. To waste time; to dawdle or loiter.

    1. Don't dally with the task; finish it now.
    2. If you dally with your assignments, you will fall behind in your studies.
dally with transitive-verb

  1. To treat without seriousness or respect.

    1. Don't dally with important thing.
    2. Never dally with someone’s feelings; treat others with kindness and respect.

  2. To trifle with; to play with.

    1. He likes to dally with expensive cars.
    2. She warned him not to dally with dangerous or reckless activities for fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "dally with" in English means: To spend time in a relaxed way, doing things that are not important., To consider something, but not seriously or with real intent to proceed., To have a casual romantic or sexual relationship with someone..

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

Synonyms for "dally with": trifle, tarry, dawdle, flirt, linger.

Example usage of "dally with": "I like to dally with my cat, because it's very cute and calm.". More examples on the page.