loitering

[ loi-ter-ing ]

noun

the act of lingering aimlessly or as if aimlessly in or about a place: A cluster of teens gathered in front of the plaza were charged with violating a city bylaw against loitering.
the act of moving in a slow, idle manner, with purposeless stops: His celebration of loitering as the best form of travel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared toss away a tourist map.

the act of wasting time or dawdling over work: As film director Jean Renoir notes, “The foundation of all civilization is loitering” because it gives time for creative thinking.

adjective

lingering aimlessly, moving slowly and idly, or wasting time: Fossil fuels may not remain plentiful long enough to underwrite such a loitering transition to renewable energy.

Origin of loitering

First recorded in 1350–1400; loiter + -ing¹ for the noun senses; loiter + -ing² for the adjective sense

She came at last, loiteringly with father Pierre and Albert Verheyden.
Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) | John P. Kennedy
At noon, in the brilliant sunshine, as I came loiteringly down the long slope from Doles Wood to the village, he overtook me.
Afoot in England | W.H. Hudson
How slowly and loiteringly it came, and how microscopic its first siftings!
A Year in the Fields | John Burroughs
He went ever more and more loiteringly, for his father did not appear.
John March, Southerner | George W. Cable
He went loiteringly into the library and gently closed the door.
Bylow Hill | George Washington Cable

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