Dawdler Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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dawdler
[ˈdɔːdlər ]
Definitions
lazy person
A dawdler is someone who is slow or lazy in their actions, often causing delays or inefficiency.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dawdler |
This word often describes someone who moves slowly or wastes time, especially when they should be doing something important.
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| loafer |
Used to describe someone who avoids work and prefers leisure activities, often with a slightly more relaxed or casual connotation.
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| sluggard |
A strongly negative term for someone who is very lazy and slow, often used with some disdain or criticism.
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| idler |
This term implies a person who does not work or does not do anything useful, typically out of laziness.
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Examples of usage
- He's such a dawdler, always taking his time to finish tasks.
- Don't be a dawdler, we need to finish this project quickly.
someone who wastes time
A dawdler is a person who wastes time or procrastinates, putting off important tasks or decisions.
Synonyms
delayer, procrastinator, waster.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dawdler |
Use when referring to someone who moves slowly or takes too long to complete tasks.
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| procrastinator |
Best suited for someone who habitually postpones or delays tasks, often leading to stress or problems.
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| waster |
Primarily used to describe someone who wastes time, resources, or opportunities. Can be somewhat negative.
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| delayer |
Usually applied in situations involving postponing or delaying decisions or actions, often intentionally.
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Examples of usage
- She's a notorious dawdler when it comes to making decisions.
- If you're a dawdler, you'll never achieve your goals.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural References
- In literature, dawdlers often appear as comic characters who delay action, creating humorous situations, such as Shakespeare's Falstaff.
- In modern slang, calling someone a 'procrastinator' often implies they are a dawdler, revealing the negative perception of wasting time in today’s fast-paced world.
- Cartoons often depict characters who dawdle and get into trouble, reinforcing the idea that taking too long is not typically a good thing.
Psychology
- Psychologists suggest that some people dawdle due to fear of failure, as delaying tasks can provide a temporary escape from the pressure associated with them.
- The phenomenon known as 'time affluence' refers to those who feel they have plenty of time often engage in dawdling activities as part of relaxing.
- Studies show that multitasking can lead to dawdling, where people switch between tasks too frequently, reducing overall productivity.
Education
- Teachers often encourage students to avoid being dawdlers to instill time management skills and improve learning outcomes.
- Dawdling can be a challenge in classrooms, as some students may take longer to start or finish assignments due to distractions.
- Educational strategies sometimes incorporate fun activities to maintain attention and discourage dawdling, creating a more active learning environment.
Origin of 'dawdler'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'dawdler' comes from the verb 'dawdle,' which originated in the early 17th century, meaning to spend time aimlessly.
- The word is related to the Middle English term 'dawdel,' which had similar meanings of lingering or being idle.
- Its roots are connected to the idea of 'dawd,' a variant of 'dolt,' highlighting a sense of foolishness in being slow or lazy.
The word 'dawdler' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the verb 'dawdle', which means to waste time or move slowly. It is believed to have come from the Dutch word 'dodderen', meaning to tremble or shake.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #42,446, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.