Dally

Someone's last name

Dally means to waste time or linger idly: Don't dally—we need to leave now.

It can suggest flirtation or casual romantic play: He dallied with several women before settling down.

To dally with an idea is to consider it without serious commitment.

The word carries a sense of pleasant but unproductive delay.

delay

linger

Stay beyond necessity

dawdleLinger without purpose
loiterRemain idly in place
tarryDelay one's leaving

procrastinate · stall · lag · idle · waste time · putter · dillydally · delay · hesitate · pause

flirtation

flirt

Playfully attract attention

trifleInsignificant matter or thing
toyObject for amusement
playRecreation or staged drama

romance · philander · coquet · tease · woo · court · seduce · charm · entice · liaison

Opposites

speed/urgency of action

Dallyhurry

Move with urgency

rush · hasten · hustle · speed · race

seriousness of purpose

Dallyfocus

Concentrated attention point

concentrate · buckle down · apply oneself · get serious · commit

commitment in relationships

Bind to a course

pledge · be faithful · settle down · marry · take seriously

Phrases

dilly dalliedDelayed through aimless loitering
dilly dallyWaste time idly
dilly dallyingIdling without purpose
dilly dalliesDelays through idle wandering

Family

dallies, dallied, dallying, dalliance, dalliances

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Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G