Finesentence logo

Procrastinating: meaning, definitions and examples

⏳
Add to dictionary

procrastinating

 

[ prəˈkræs.tɪ.neɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

time management

Procrastinating refers to the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions. It often occurs when individuals feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to begin a task. Procrastination can lead to increased stress and diminish the quality of work as deadlines approach. This behavior can stem from a variety of factors, including fear of failure, perfectionism, or even a lack of motivation. Overcoming procrastination often requires strategies such as setting clear goals, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and creating a structured schedule.

Synonyms

dawdle, defer, delay, postpone, stall

Examples of usage

  • I kept procrastinating my study schedule until the last minute.
  • He was procrastinating on his project, falling deeper into a cycle of avoidance.
  • Everyone procrastinates sometimes, but it’s essential to find ways to stay productive.
  • She realized that her procrastinating habit was affecting her grades.

Translations

Translations of the word "procrastinating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 procrastinando

🇮🇳 टालना

🇩🇪 Prokrastination

🇮🇩 menunda

🇺🇦 procrastinування

🇵🇱 prokrastynacja

🇯🇵 先延ばしする

🇫🇷 procrastination

🇪🇸 procrastinación

🇹🇷 ertelemek

🇰🇷 미루기

🇸🇦 التسويف

🇨🇿 prokrastinace

🇸🇰 prokrastinácia

🇨🇳 拖延

🇸🇮 prokrastinacija

🇮🇸 frekar

🇰🇿 кейінге қалдыру

🇬🇪 გადაყვანა

🇦🇿 tələb etmək

🇲🇽 procrastinación

Etymology

The word 'procrastinate' originated from the Latin verb 'procrastinare', which translates to 'put off until tomorrow'. The prefix 'pro-' means 'forward', and 'cras' means 'tomorrow'. This etymology reflects the essence of procrastination as a phenomenon of delaying tasks intended for the future. The word made its way into Middle English in the late 16th century and has been used in various contexts since then, usually in connection with time management and the human tendency to avoid difficult or less desirable tasks. As society has evolved and the pace of life has increased, the concept of procrastination has gained more attention, particularly in the realms of psychology, productivity, and self-help literature. It has become a common topic among students, workers, and anyone facing a long list of responsibilities.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,512 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.