Word page
Lollygag is what you do when purpose quietly leaves the room. It means to dawdle, idle, or waste time in an aimless, lingering way, often with a note of mild disapproval.
Quick facts
Pronunciation
Meaning
To lollygag is to hang around, move slowly, or waste time instead of getting on with things. The word can sound playful rather than harsh, but it usually suggests laziness, delay, or needless lingering.
Absurdity
Lollygag feels absurd because it sounds like dawdling made audible. The word meanders, which is exactly what the action does.
Word history
Lollygag is an American English word with a history that appears to involve loafing, idling, or fooling around. The details of its earliest development are somewhat uncertain, but its modern meaning is clear and widely understood.
Usage today
Yes, especially in American English. It still appears in speech and writing when someone wants a playful but clear word for wasting time.
Examples
Use it well
Use lollygag when you want a more vivid and less stern alternative to "delay" or "waste time." It works well in family speech, narrative writing, and comic frustration.
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