Dawdling

Dawdling describes the act of proceeding slowly, wasting time, or lingering. It often implies a reluctance to complete a task or a lack of urgency. Individuals dawdling might be procrastinating, enjoying a leisurely pace, or simply distracted. The word suggests an intentional or unintentional delay, diverging from an efficient or prompt course of action. dawdling can occur in various contexts, from physical movement to the completion of mental processes, and often carries a negative connotation when related to responsibilities or deadlines.

Dawdling meaning with examples

• The children, excited to play, were dawdling on the way to the park, stopping to examine every interesting pebble and flower. Their parents, eager to reach their destination, gently encouraged them to quicken their pace, fearing they would arrive at the park late. This dawdling, although innocent, showcased their enjoyment of the journey rather than a focus on reaching the destination.
• Sarah was dawdling over her homework, staring out the window and re-sharpening her pencils repeatedly, hoping to avoid the difficult problems. Her mother, noticing her procrastination, gently reminded her that the deadline was approaching. Sarah’s dawdling was a clear display of her reluctance to engage with the challenging material. This demonstrates a classic example of delaying tasks.
• During the emergency evacuation, some individuals were dawdling, gathering personal belongings instead of immediately following instructions. This resulted in unnecessary delays and increased the risk to their safety, making others anxious and potentially dangerous. Emergency protocol requires swift action, and the dawdling of a few put others at risk due to this slow pace.
• The software's slow loading times were a major annoyance, with the program perpetually dawdling as it processed information. Users grew impatient with the lag and inefficiency, wishing for quicker responses and a smoother user experience. This technical dawdling significantly hindered productivity, especially for time-sensitive activities.
• He was known for dawdling over his morning coffee, savoring each sip and delaying the start of his workday. His colleagues would often see him in this state before finally starting their day, and his slow pace was a noticeable contrast to their productive workflow. This demonstrates the leisurely, yet time-wasting, aspect of dawdling.