procrastination
Procrastination (noun) means putting off something that needs doing, usually in favour of something easier or more pleasant, despite knowing the delay will cost you. Example: “His procrastination turned a two-hour job into a week of dread.”
How to use procrastination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPutting off something you know you should be doing.
Latin "cras" = tomorrow. Procrastination is "tomorrow-ing" a job.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ turned a two-hour job into a week of dread.
Etymology
From Latin "procrastinare," to put off until tomorrow, from "pro-" (forward) plus "cras" (tomorrow).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for procrastination
Frequently asked questions
What is procrastination?
Delaying a task you intend to do, usually in favour of something less demanding, even though you expect the delay to make things worse. The key part is that it is voluntary and against your own better judgement.
Is procrastination the same as laziness?
No. Laziness is an unwillingness to expend effort at all. Procrastinators often work hard on other things while avoiding the one task — the avoidance is usually about the feeling attached to the task, such as anxiety or perfectionism, rather than about effort.
What is the literal meaning of procrastinate?
It comes from the Latin "cras," meaning tomorrow — so procrastinating is literally putting something forward to tomorrow.
What is the meaning of procrastination?
"procrastination" (noun) means putting off something that needs doing, usually in favour of something easier or more pleasant, despite knowing the delay will cost you.