Dawdling Meaning in English
word · lemma: dawdle
ˈdɔdɫɪŋ
DAWD-ling
dˈɔːdlɪŋ
DAWD-ling
Definition
Taking longer than necessary to do something, usually due to laziness, distraction, or lack of urgency.
Usage & Nuances
"Dawdling" is mildly negative and often used for children or in informal settings. Common with 'stop dawdling', 'dawdling over homework'. Implies slow progress due to lack of focus.
Spanish: perder el tiempo - holgazanearPortuguese (BR): enrolar - perder tempoPortuguese (PT): enrolar - perder tempoChinese (Simplified): 磨蹭 - 拖拖拉拉Chinese (Traditional): 磨蹭 - 拖拖拉拉Hindi: आलस्य करना - देर लगानाArabic: يُماطل - يتباطأBengali: ধীরগতি - সময় নষ্ট করাRussian: копание - медленное бездельеJapanese: ぐずぐずする - だらだらするVietnamese: lề mề - chậm chạpKorean: 꾸물거리기 - 빈둥거리기Turkish: oyalanma - ağırdan almaUrdu: ٹال مٹول - سستی سے کرناIndonesian: berleha-leha - melamun
Example Sentences
Stop dawdling and finish your homework.
basic
The children were dawdling on their way to school.
basic
She spent the afternoon dawdling in the garden.
basic
Are you dawdling again, or do you actually need more time?
natural
We missed the bus because Mark was dawdling in the bathroom.
natural
Sometimes a little dawdling helps me relax after a busy week.
natural