lallygag
/ˈlæliˌɡæɡ/
VERB
1. To waste time by being idle or slow
To spend time lazily or aimlessly instead of doing something useful, necessary, or expected.
1.1. Wasting time instead of working
Avoiding necessary work or responsibilities by behaving lazily, idly, or without making useful progress.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- work
- labor
- hustle
- get busy
- apply oneself
- be productive
Examples
- Stop lallygagging and finish your assignments before the deadline.
- The workers were warned not to lallygag during working hours.
Related Words
1.2. Moving or proceeding too slowly
Taking unnecessarily long to move, make a decision, or complete an activity, often causing delays or preventing timely progress.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- hurry
- hasten
- rush
- accelerate
- speed up
- make haste
Examples
- We cannot lallygag if we want to catch the last train.
- The group lallygagged along the trail and arrived much later than expected.
Related Words
- delay
- slowness
- hesitation
- procrastination
- slowdown
1.3. Loitering or hanging around without purpose
Remaining in a place without a particular purpose or useful activity, often while casually wasting time.
Synonyms
- loiter
- linger
- hang around
- hang about
- lounge
- loll
- mosey
- idle
- dawdle
Antonyms
Examples
- The students were told not to lallygag in the hallways after class.
- Instead of lallygagging outside the store, they decided to head home.
Related Words
VERB
2. To engage in playful or affectionate behavior
To spend time playfully fooling around or displaying romantic affection through petting, kissing, or other affectionate gestures.
2.1. Playful fooling around
Engaging in lighthearted, amusing, or mischievous activities instead of behaving seriously or concentrating on a task.
Synonyms
- horse around
- fool around
- mess around
- play around
- muck about
- monkey around
- skylark
- frolic
- cavort
Antonyms
- work
- concentrate
- focus
- behave
- be serious
Examples
- The children lallygagged in the garden instead of doing their homework.
- The friends spent the afternoon lallygagging and joking around.
Related Words
- horseplay
- mischief
- playfulness
- recreation
- amusement
2.2. Showing romantic affection
Spending time kissing, cuddling, petting, or otherwise displaying affectionate behavior, particularly in a romantic relationship.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- avoid
- withdraw
- distance oneself
- ignore
Examples
- The young couple spent the evening lallygagging on the park bench.
- They were lallygagging affectionately while waiting for their friends.
Related Words
NOUN
3. Playful or idle activity
A period of horseplay, aimless activity, or casual fooling around rather than serious or productive behavior.
3.1. Horseplay and playful behavior
Lighthearted, mischievous, or energetic behavior involving joking, playing, and fooling around.
Synonyms
- horseplay
- fooling around
- mucking about
- mischief
- play
- frolic
- capers
Antonyms
- seriousness
- discipline
- diligence
- industry
Examples
- The teacher put an end to the students' lallygag before the lesson began.
- Their afternoon lallygag included jokes, games, and harmless mischief.
Related Words
- pranks
- joking
- amusement
- playfulness
- recreation
NOUN
4. A person who wastes time or avoids work
A person who habitually behaves lazily, idles, or spends time fooling around instead of doing necessary work.
4.1. Lazy or idle person
Someone who avoids responsibilities, wastes time, or makes little effort to complete necessary tasks.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- worker
- hard worker
- go-getter
- diligent person
- striver
Examples
- The supervisor called him a lallygag for repeatedly avoiding his responsibilities.
- Nobody wanted to be regarded as a lallygag in such a hardworking team.