Dawdle

To waste time or move slowly, particularly in a way that shows a lack of urgency or purpose. The term conveys a sense of laziness or being idle when one should be more productive or focused on a task. Dawdling is often associated with procrastination and can lead to unnecessary delays in completing goals or responsibilities.

Dawdle meaning with examples

• During the group project, Jake decided to dawdle instead of helping with the presentation. He spent most of his time scrolling on his phone, which frustrated his teammates who were trying to stay focused and get the work done ahead of the deadline.
• While Sarah was cooking dinner, her little brother began to dawdle around the kitchen, playing with various utensils and distracting her from her task. She gently reminded him that dinner would be ready sooner if he helped instead of just wandering about.
• As the teacher gave instructions for the assignment, Emily noticed a classmate dawdling with his pencil, doodling instead of paying attention. She wondered why he would waste time when the information could impact their grades significantly.
• The dog began to dawdle during their walk, stopping every few feet to sniff the ground or explore every little thing that caught his eye. His owner chuckled, knowing that sometimes it was nice to take life at a slower pace and enjoy the little moments.
• When it was time to get ready for the school play, Timmy started to dawdle instead of following the schedule. He got caught up in watching cartoons, which led to a hectic rush at the last minute, causing him to miss important rehearsals.