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Definition of dillydally

dillydally

/ˈdɪl.iˌdæl.i/
dil · ly · dal · ly
Past Simple:dillydallied
•
Past Participle:dillydallied
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Present Participle:dillydallying
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dillydally Lexical Profile

dillydally Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To waste time through aimless loitering, hesitation, or procrastination.

Example

"If we continue to dillydally at the train station, we are going to miss our connecting departure."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for dillydally

• Nearby Words

dillon falls
dillseed
dillweed
dillydally
dilutable
dilute
dilution

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century as a playful rhyming reduplication of the verb 'dally', which stems from Old French 'dalier', meaning to chat or trifle away time.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dillydally. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dillydally
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