# dally

/ˈdæɫi/ (US) · /dˈæli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dally
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

to waste time or delay doing something. You use this when someone is being too slow or is not taking action quickly enough.

For teachers: to waste time or delay; to linger unnecessarily. Often used in the negative to express impatience or a desire for immediate action.

## Examples

- Don't dally with your homework; you have a test tomorrow.
- The manager warned the team not to dally with the new software, as the deadline was only two days away.
- While the explorers were tempted to dally at the scenic overlook, the approaching storm forced them to press on toward the safety of the valley.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.