verb
dally
DA-lee
Dally (verb) means to waste time or delay unnecessarily. Example: “Stop dallying and get to the point.”
verb
1
To waste time or delay unnecessarily.
"Stop dallying and get to the point."
"We can't dally any longer — the deadline is tonight."
2
To flirt or engage in a casual romance.
"He was accused of dallying with a colleague."
How to use dally
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo waste time, or to flirt casually without serious intent.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dally about
dally with
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Word forms
- Plural
- dallies
- Third person singular
- dallies
- Past tense
- dallied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop _____ and get to the point.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman delaier, the same root that gives us "delay."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dally
See all rhymes for dally →Frequently asked questions
What does “dally” mean?
The word “dally” means to waste time or delay unnecessarily. In plain terms, to waste time, or to flirt casually without serious intent.
How do you pronounce “dally”?
“Dally” is pronounced DA-lee (/ˈdæli/ in IPA).
How do you use “dally” in a sentence?
Here is “dally” used in a sentence: “Stop dallying and get to the point.”
What part of speech is “dally”?
“Dally” is a verb.
Where does the word “dally” come from?
The word “dally” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman delaier, the same root that gives us "delay.".
How many meanings does “dally” have?
“Dally” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to waste time or delay unnecessarily.
