dawdle

/ˈdɔdl/

/ˈdɔdəl/

Other forms: dawdled; dawdles

There are lots of words that mean to move slowly. The point of dawdle is that one is moving too slowly, is falling behind, or is not properly focused on making progress.

One way to remember the meaning of dawdle is that it rhymes with "waddle," as in, "a duck waddles." Imagine what would happen if you waddled instead of walked. It would take a lot more time, and your companion might say, "Don't dawdle!" Dawdle implies not only taking extra time but actually wasting it. A leisurely walk in the woods is one thing, but if you have to get to the theater on time, don't dawdle along the way: you'll miss the curtain!

Definitions of dawdle

1. verb

   hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
   synonyms: fall back, fall behind, lag

   types:

   drag, drop back, drop behind, get behind, hang back, trail

   lag or linger behind

   type of:

   follow

   travel behind, go after, come after
2. verb

   take one's time; proceed slowly
   synonyms: linger

   type of:

   move

   move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
3. verb

   waste time
   synonyms: dally

   type of:

   act, behave, do

   behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself