Loiterer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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loiterer

[ˈlɔɪtərər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in public place

A person who loiters, especially in public places, without a clear purpose or reason.

Synonyms

idler, lingerer, lounger.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loiterer	This word is often used when someone is hanging around a place with no clear purpose and possibly causing a disturbance. It can have a negative connotation, implying suspicious behavior. The security guard asked the loiterer at the entrance to move along The shop owner called the police when she noticed a group of loiterers outside her store
lounger	Used for someone who relaxes or rests, often in a lazy manner. It's usually neutral but can be mildly negative if implying laziness. On weekends, he was a lounger, spending most of his time on the couch At the resort, the pool area was filled with loungers enjoying the sun
lingerer	This word describes someone who stays longer than necessary, often without a clear reason. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context. He was a lingerer at parties, always staying long after everyone else had left The teacher noticed a student lingering in the hallway after the bell rang
idler	It's used to describe someone who avoids work and prefers inactivity. It generally has a negative connotation, suggesting laziness. The manager was frustrated with the idlers who were always looking for excuses to avoid work Despite having deadlines, he remained an idler and never completed his tasks on time

Examples of usage

He was considered a loiterer by the security guard.
The police warned the loiterer to move along.
The loiterer was asked to leave the premises.
She suspected the man was a loiterer.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

negative connotation

A person who habitually loiters or wastes time.

Synonyms

loafer, vagrant, waster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loiterer	This word is used to describe someone who spends time in a place without any obvious purpose, often in a way that is seen as suspicious or undesirable. The police asked the loiterer to leave the parking lot since he had been there for hours without any apparent reason
loafer	This term is generally used for someone who avoids work and is habitually lazy. It's often used informally and can have a negative connotation. He was known as a loafer, always finding excuses to avoid doing any real work around the house
waster	This term is used to describe someone who wastes time or resources instead of using them productively. It is usually informal and carries a negative tone. He's such a waster; he spends all his time playing games instead of looking for a job
vagrant	This word is used to refer to someone who has no fixed home or job and often lives by begging. It has a more formal and sometimes negative connotation. The city authorities have been trying to find shelters for the vagrants who sleep in the parks at night

Examples of usage

The park was full of loiterers and troublemakers.
He was labeled a loiterer due to his constant presence on the street corner.
The loiterer was known for causing disturbances in the area.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

legal term

A person who lingers around a specific area, often with the intent to commit a crime.

Synonyms

intruder, suspicious person, trespasser.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loiterer	This word is used again to describe someone who lingers in a public or private space without a clear purpose. It often suggests idleness but not necessarily malicious intent. The loiterers outside the store were making customers nervous
trespasser	This term is used for someone who enters someone's property without permission. The word implies a violation of someone's space or property rights but doesn't necessarily indicate intent to commit a crime. The farmer was quick to chase off the trespasser wandering on his land
suspicious person	This description is used for an individual whose behavior raises concern or seems unusual enough to warrant attention or caution. It does not imply guilt but suggests the need for vigilance. The bank manager called the police after noticing a suspicious person loitering near the entrance
intruder	This word refers to someone who enters a place unlawfully or without permission, usually with the implication of bad intentions such as theft or harm. The alarm was triggered by an intruder attempting to break into the office

Examples of usage

The security cameras caught the loiterer casing the building.
The loiterer was arrested for suspicious behavior near the bank.
The police detained the loiterer for questioning.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'loiterer'

The word 'loiterer' originated from the Middle English word 'loitren', which means 'to linger' or 'to be slow'. Over time, it has evolved to refer to someone who hangs around without purpose or loiters in public spaces. The negative connotations associated with the term have made it a common descriptor for individuals engaging in suspicious or unlawful activities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,374, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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39371 joshing
39372 commie
39373 encyst
39374 loiterer
39375 iamb
39376 depoliticize
39377 exhuming
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