Dally Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
dally
[หdรฆli ]
Definitions
in a playful manner
To dally means to act or move slowly, playfully, or flirtatiously. It can also mean to waste time or procrastinate.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dally |
Usually implies wasting time or being slow to act, often in a casual or careless manner. It can have a slightly negative connotation of procrastination.
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| linger |
Implies a longer-than-expected stay or presence, often out of reluctance to leave or finish something.
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| loiter |
Mostly used in a negative context to describe hanging around without a clear purpose, often in a place where one is not supposed to be.
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| delay |
A more formal term, used when there is a postponement or slowing down of a process or action. It can be used in both casual and professional contexts.
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Examples of usage
- He liked to dally with her, teasing and flirting.
- Don't dally, we need to finish this work quickly.
obsolete
In the past, dally was also used as a noun to refer to a man who was a lover or sweetheart.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dally |
This word is used when someone is acting in a slow and time-wasting manner, often without serious intent or commitment.
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| paramour |
This word refers to a lover, particularly in a context where the relationship is secretive or illicit. It often carries a negative connotation.
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| sweetheart |
This word is used to refer to a beloved person, often in a romantic relationship but generally with a positive and affectionate connotation.
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Examples of usage
- She had many dallies in her youth.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- 'Dilly-Dally' is a common phrase that conveys the idea of being indecisive or wasting time and is often used in childrenโs stories.
- In the song 'Dilly Dally' by the singer-songwriter Claire Pires, the term is used to reflect the joy of being carefree and playful.
- Movies often use characters who dally as comic relief, emphasizing their procrastination compared to more serious characters.
Psychology
- Procrastination, a common form of 'dallying', is often linked with underlying anxiety or fear of failure.
- Studies show that ritualizing tasks can sometimes help people overcome the inertia of dallying by breaking them into more manageable steps.
- The concept of 'time affluence' indicates that people who feel they have enough time are less likely to dally than those who feel rushed.
Literature
- In literature, characters who dally are often portrayed as whimsical or carefree, contrasting with more diligent characters.
- Famous authors like Jane Austen have depicted dallying as a social critique, revealing the leisurely lifestyles of the upper class.
- Shakespeare often incorporated characters that dallied as a mechanism to develop tension in his plots, showing the consequences of delay.
Origin of 'dally'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'dally' comes from the Middle English word 'dallien', which means to deal lightly or to touch lightly.
- It has roots in the Old French word 'dallier', reflecting a playful or flirtatious demeanor.
- In its earliest use, 'dally' was also associated with the act of being idle or loitering.
The word 'dally' originated from Middle English 'dalien', which means to play or trifle. It has been in use since the 14th century and evolved to include meanings of flirting or delaying. Over time, the word has retained its playful connotations and is often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner.