# procrastinate

/pɹəˈkɹæstəˌneɪt/ (US) · /pɹəkɹˈɑːstɪnˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/procrastinate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. to put something off

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to put off a specific task until a later time.

For teachers: to delay a specific action or event. Transitive use is less common than the intransitive form but standard in formal contexts.

- He decided to procrastinate his chores until the weekend.
- The department tended to procrastinate the implementation of new safety protocols until forced by external audits.

Usage: Takes a direct object, often a gerund or a noun phrase.

Teaching tip: In modern speech, the transitive use is quite rare; 'put off' or 'delay' is preferred for specific tasks.

## Examples

- I always procrastinate on my homework until the last minute.
- Many students find themselves procrastinate on their final essays until the night before the deadline.
- While some view procrastination as a simple lack of discipline, psychological research suggests it is often a coping mechanism for tasks that trigger anxiety or perfectionism.

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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.