Vocabulary Spotlight
Dawdle
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To waste time by moving slowly or being idle; to take longer than necessary.
“They dawdled along the path, stopping often to admire the scenery.”
Pronunciation
[ˈdɔːdəl]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Linger
Dilly-dally
Delay
Waste time
Antonyms
Rush
Speed up
Move quickly
Proceed
Related Words
Procrastinate (verb)
Word Origin
“Dawdle” is likely a blend of the Middle English *daw*, meaning “simpleton,” combined with a playful sound to convey the sense of aimless loitering or wasting time.
Word Family
Verb: Dawdle – To move or act too slowly.
Noun: Dawdler – Someone who dawdles, often wasting time or moving slowly.
Mnemonics
Remember “dawdle” as “delay and waddle”—moving slowly like a waddling duck, wasting time.
Alternatively, think of “dawdle” as “do all tasks lazily,” which describes moving or acting at a slow pace.
Industry-specific Usage
Education
In education, dawdling students may take extra time to complete tasks, often needing reminders to stay on schedule.
Workplace
In the workplace, dawdling can refer to employees wasting time or not focusing on assigned tasks, affecting productivity.
Parenting
In parenting, children may dawdle during routines like getting dressed or finishing meals, testing parents’ patience.
In Context
Dawdling describes behavior characterized by slow movement or procrastination, often seen as unproductive or aimless.
In daily life, people may dawdle unintentionally, distracted by other tasks or simply unmotivated to complete a particular task.
In professional settings, dawdling can negatively impact deadlines, leading to inefficiencies and delays in progress.