Advertisement

View synonyms for dally

dally

[ dal-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, dal·lied, dal·ly·ing.
  1. to waste time; loiter; delay.
  2. to act playfully, especially in an amorous or flirtatious way.

    Synonyms: trifle, tease, flirt

  3. to play mockingly; trifle:

    to dally with danger.

    Synonyms: toy



verb (used with object)

, dal·lied, dal·ly·ing.
  1. to waste (time) (usually followed by away ).

dally

/ ˈdælɪ /

verb

  1. to waste time idly; dawdle
  2. usually foll by with to deal frivolously or lightly with; trifle; toy

    to dally with someone's affections



Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈdallier, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • dalli·er noun
  • dally·ing·ly adverb
  • un·dally·ing adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of dally1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dalien from Anglo-French dalier “to chat,” of uncertain origin

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of dally1

C14: from Anglo-French dalier to gossip, of uncertain origin

Discover More

Synonym Study

See loiter.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Still, DAC’s gardens remind him that nature’s seasons never dally.

Why dilly-dally with teenage angst when you can bring on the Giant Robots, that was my motto.

Why, it's six thousand feet up here, and the wind don't monkey and dally around, hit gits right down to business.

Sire and sons returned from the cemetery invigorated for their dally labours.

He quite knew that to dally with the piano-player while smoking a high-class cigar was to insult the cigar.

As the tent was found to encroach partly on the same crevasse, it may be imagined that we did not dally long over the meal.

The novel sensation of an anticipated visit probably caused us to dally less than usual over our morning meal.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Dall's sheepDalmane