loiter
Stand around purposelessly
To loiter is to stand around or move slowly without apparent purpose, lingering in a place longer than necessary.
The word often carries a suggestion of idleness or potential mischief: No loitering signs warn people not to hang around.
Someone might loiter outside a shop, in a doorway, or near a school.
He loitered at the corner, waiting to see if she'd walk by.
Move without fixed direction
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- meanderTo travel without direction
- saunterRelaxed, aimless stride
- ambleRelaxed, slow gait
ramble · stroll · roam · mosey · dawdle · perambulate · hang-around · kill-time
Hide while observing
- skulkMove with secretive intent
- prowlRoam stealthily
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
shady · sketchy · snooping · watching · casing · clandestine · stealthy · shadowy
Pass time idly
- loafBaked bread shape
- loungeComfortable waiting room
- lollRecline in idleness
- do-nothingIdle, inactive person
vegetate · slack · fritter · idle · unoccupied · languid · lazy · inactive
People aged thirteen to nineteen
- mallEnclosed shopping center
- skateparkWheeled sports facility
- hangoutFrequented gathering place
- cornerMeeting point of edges
arcade · curfew · kids · adolescents · juvenile · truant · after-school · cliques
Officially not permitted
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- securityProtection from threat
- patrolRegular surveillance route
shopkeeper · vagrancy · ordinance · citation · warning · police · dispersed · banned
wander
Move without fixed direction
amble · ramble · stroll · roam · mosey · dawdle · perambulate · hang-around · kill-time · dillydally
tarry
Delay one's leaving
remain · delay · pause · bide · dwell · prolong · dawdle · lag · unhurried · leisurely
lurk
Hide while observing
furtive · shady · sketchy · snooping · watching · casing · clandestine · stealthy · shadowy · watchful
laze
Pass time idly
do-nothing · vegetate · slack · fritter · idle · unoccupied · languid · lazy · inactive · lounging
teenagers
People aged thirteen to nineteen
corner · arcade · curfew · kids · adolescents · juvenile · truant · after-school · cliques · streetcorner
prohibited
Officially not permitted
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- securityProtection from threat
patrol · shopkeeper · vagrancy · ordinance · citation · warning · police · dispersed · banned · ejected
- loitering lawsStatutes criminalizing idle presence
- no loitering sign