Dally: meaning, definitions and examples
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dally
[ˈdæli ]
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.
|
| linger |
Implies a longer-than-expected stay or presence, often out of reluctance to leave or finish something.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
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.
|
| paramour |
This word refers to a lover, particularly in a context where the relationship is secretive or illicit. It often carries a negative connotation.
|
| sweetheart |
This word is used to refer to a beloved person, often in a romantic relationship but generally with a positive and affectionate connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- She had many dallies in her youth.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
Pop Culture
- 'Dilly-Dally' is a common phrase that conveys the idea of being indecisive or wasting time and is often used in children’s 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.
Translations
Translations of the word "dally" in other languages:
🇵🇹 perder tempo
🇮🇳 समय बर्बाद करना
🇩🇪 trödeln
🇮🇩 berlama-lama
🇺🇦 байдикувати
- зволікати
- марнувати час
🇵🇱 ociągać się
🇯🇵 ぐずぐずする
🇫🇷 traîner
🇪🇸 demorar
🇹🇷 oyalanmak
🇰🇷 꾸물거리다
🇸🇦 يماطل
🇨🇿 otálet
🇸🇰 otáľať
🇨🇳 拖延
🇸🇮 odlašati
🇮🇸 drolla
🇰🇿 уақытты босқа өткізу
🇬🇪 დროის დაკარგვა
🇦🇿 vaxt itirmək
🇲🇽 demorar