dally
word
Definition
To take your time without hurrying, often wasting time and not doing what you should. It can also mean to act in a playful or flirtatious way.
Usage & Nuances
'Dally' is formal or literary and rarely used in modern speech. Common with 'dally with' (waste time or flirt). Not for physical laziness—means delaying or being playful. Often confused with 'dawdle' (move slowly).
Spanish: holgazanear - perder el tiempo - coquetearPortuguese (BR): protelar - perder tempo - flertarPortuguese (PT): protelar - perder tempo - flertarChinese (Simplified): 磨蹭 - 浪费时间 - 调情Chinese (Traditional): 磨蹭 - 浪費時間 - 調情Hindi: समय बिताना - देरी करना - छेड़खानी करनाArabic: يتباطأ - يماطل - يغازل
Example Sentences
Don't dally on your way to school.
basic
She likes to dally in the park after work.
basic
Please don’t dally; we have a lot to do today.
basic
He tends to dally with new projects instead of finishing them.
natural
They warned her not to dally with his feelings.
natural
If you dally too long, you might miss your chance.
natural