OpenSynonym

dallying

/ˈdæliɪŋ/

VERB

1. Spending time idly or engaging in trivial activities

To spend time doing unimportant, unproductive, or frivolous activities instead of concentrating on serious or purposeful work.

1.1. Idleness and avoiding productive work

Used when someone spends time doing little or nothing useful, lounging, relaxing, or avoiding responsibilities rather than working productively.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The students were dallying instead of focusing on their assignments.
  • The manager disapproved of employees dallying around during work hours.

Related Words

1.2. Playfulness and frivolous amusement

Used when someone engages in playful, lighthearted, or trivial activities without a serious purpose, often amusing themselves or others.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The children were dallying in the garden instead of coming inside for dinner.
  • He spent the afternoon dallying with various hobbies without committing to any of them.

Related Words

VERB

2. Caressing or touching affectionately

To touch, stroke, or handle someone gently and affectionately, particularly in a romantic or sexual manner.

2.1. Physical affection and intimate touching

Used to describe gentle affectionate touching, stroking, or fondling, especially between romantic partners or people sharing an intimate relationship.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The couple spent the evening dallying affectionately in the privacy of their home.
  • They were dallying by the water's edge, sharing a tender and intimate moment.

Related Words

VERB

3. Delaying or proceeding without urgency

To delay an action unnecessarily, hesitate, linger, or spend more time than necessary before proceeding or completing something.

3.1. Procrastination and postponement

Used when someone unnecessarily postpones an action, puts off responsibilities, or hesitates instead of acting promptly and making progress.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The teacher noticed the students dallying instead of completing their assignments.
  • There is no time for dallying when an important deadline is approaching.
  • The committee kept dallying over the proposal instead of reaching a decision.

Related Words

3.2. Lingering and unhurried movement

Used when someone remains in a place longer than necessary, wanders leisurely, or moves slowly without being in a hurry to continue or leave.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The visitors were dallying around the marketplace long after the shops began closing.
  • The couple spent the afternoon dallying by the water's edge.
  • Tourists were dallying along the narrow streets, enjoying the local scenery.

Related Words

3.3. Slow progress and falling behind

Used when someone or something advances at an unusually slow pace, struggles to keep up, or makes progress more slowly than expected.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The project was dallying behind schedule because of repeated delays.
  • The hikers were dallying along the trail while the faster members of the group moved ahead.

Related Words

  • slowness
  • sluggishness
  • slow movement
  • pace
  • progress
  • momentum
  • backwardness

VERB

4. Wrapping a rope around a saddle horn

To wind a lasso or throwing rope around the horn of a Western saddle after roping an animal, securing the rope to help hold the animal.

4.1. Roping and Western horseback riding

Used in cowboy, ranching, and rodeo activities to describe winding a rope around the saddle horn after catching an animal with a lasso.

Synonyms

  • wrapping
  • winding
  • looping

Examples

  • The cowboy was dallying his rope around the saddle horn after catching the calf.
  • The rider continued dallying carefully to secure the animal during the roping competition.

Related Words

  • lasso
  • lariat
  • saddle horn
  • roping
  • cowboy
  • rodeo
  • calf roping
  • ranching

NOUN

5. An act of romantic or playful involvement

A period or instance of casual romantic involvement, flirtation, or playful interaction, often without serious commitment.

5.1. Romantic flirtation and casual involvement

Used to describe a playful or romantic interaction between people, particularly one involving flirtation, affectionate attention, or a temporary romantic attachment.

Synonyms

  • flirtation
  • courtship
  • amorousness
  • romantic involvement
  • love affair

Examples

  • Their brief dallying never developed into a serious relationship.
  • The novel describes a summer of romantic dallying between two young travelers.

Related Words