Dillydallied: meaning, definitions and examples
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dillydallied
[ ˈdɪliˌdaliːd ]
procrastination
Dillydallied is the past tense of the verb 'dillydally', which means to waste time through aimless wandering or indecision. It often implies being overly conscious or hesitant about making a decision, causing delays in getting things done. This term suggests a lack of urgency and can be applied to situations where time is being wasted due to hesitation or trivial activities. It is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone who is not taking action when they should be.
Synonyms
dawdled, fritter, hesitate, linger, procrastinate.
Examples of usage
- He dillydallied before deciding on a restaurant.
- She dillydallied instead of focusing on her homework.
- They dillydallied all day, delaying their trip.
- Stop dillydallying and get to work!
- Don't dillydally; we need to leave now.
Translations
Translations of the word "dillydallied" in other languages:
🇵🇹 demorou
🇮🇳 टालमटोल किया
🇩🇪 herumgedödelt
🇮🇩 menunda
🇺🇦 зволікав
🇵🇱 szarpał
🇯🇵 ダラダラした
🇫🇷 traînailler
🇪🇸 dilatar
🇹🇷 oyalandı
🇰🇷 시간 낭비하다
🇸🇦 تأخر
🇨🇿 zdržoval
🇸🇰 naťahoval
🇨🇳 磨蹭
🇸🇮 odlašal
🇮🇸 draga
🇰🇿 босқа уақыт өткізді
🇬🇪 დაგვიანდა
🇦🇿 vaxt itirdi
🇲🇽 dilatar
Etymology
The term 'dillydally' is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, with the first documented use appearing around 1830. The word is thought to be a reduplication, a linguistic formation that involves repeating a syllable with a variation, often in a playful or informal manner. The roots of 'dillydally' may also be linked to British English, where the combination of 'dilly' and 'dally' implies a sense of trifling around. 'Dilly' itself is an old-fashioned term that means something trivial or insignificant, while 'dally' suggests idleness or delay. The playful sound of the word captures the essence of procrastination and hesitation, making it an apt description for someone who is taking their time or avoiding task completion. Over the years, 'dillydally' has maintained its informal tone and continues to be commonly used in everyday language to describe light-hearted procrastination.