loiter
58 synonyms and 7 antonyms for loiter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To stand or wait around somewhere without any clear purpose.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
arse about
arse around
bludge
bum around
clown around
dally
dawdle
dick around
dick about
diddle
dilly-dally
dretch
drumble
faff about
faff
faff around
fanny about
fanny around
fart about
fart around
fiddle about
fiddle around
fool about
fool around
footle
forslow
goof around
goof off
hang about
hang around
hang out
horse around
jerk off
lallygag
laze
laze about
laze around
loaf about
loaf around
lollygag
lollop
mess around
mill about
mill around
muck about
muck around
pingle
piddle
stand by
tarry
tool around
waste time
Antonyms
How to use loiter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
loiter outside
no loitering
loiter with intent
Etymology
From Middle Dutch loteren ("to shake, wobble, dawdle"), via Middle English loitren. Related to the English word "lout."
Full origin of loiter →Frequently asked questions
What does “loiter” mean?
The word “loiter” means to stand or wait around somewhere without any clear purpose. In plain terms, to hang around somewhere with no obvious reason, often looking a bit suspicious or aimless.
How do you pronounce “loiter”?
“Loiter” is pronounced LOY-tuh (/ˈlɔɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “loiter” in a sentence?
Here is “loiter” used in a sentence: “A group of teenagers were loitering outside the shop.”
What is another word for “loiter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loiter” include arse about, arse around, bludge, bum around, cabbage and clown around.
What is the opposite of “loiter”?
The opposite of “loiter” — its antonyms — are energize, make a move, leave, scraffle and scramble.
What part of speech is “loiter”?
“Loiter” is a verb.
Where does the word “loiter” come from?
The word “loiter” comes from Middle English. From Middle Dutch loteren ("to shake, wobble, dawdle"), via Middle English loitren. Related to the English word "lout.".
