dawdle

verb

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdɔːdəl/
• American: /ˈdɔdl/

Origin

Early 17th century; perhaps related to 'daw' (to waste time) + '-le' (frequentative suffix)

Meanings

1. To waste time or be slow in doing something; to move or act lazily or languidly
2. To spend time idly or unproductively

Example Sentences

• The children dawdled on their way to school, stopping to look at every interesting thing they saw.
• "Don't dawdle over your breakfast; we'll be late for the meeting!"
• She dawdled in the shopping mall, window-shopping without any real intention to buy anything.

Related Words

• Forms:

  • dawdled (past tense)
  • dawdling (present participle)
  • dawdler (noun: person who dawdles)

• Synonyms:

  • loiter
  • linger
  • dilly-dally
  • procrastinate
  • delay
  • tarry

Memory Tricks

1. Think "DAW" (like yawn) + "DLE" - moving slowly like you're yawning
2. Remember: "Those who DAWDLE often draw out their tasks like a slow-moving DOODLE"
3. Associate with "waddle" (like a duck's slow walk) - both involve slow movement

Usage Notes

Often used in informal contexts, particularly when speaking about children or expressing mild frustration with someone's slow pace.