whiling
Leisurely spending hours
Whiling is passing time in a leisurely way, usually with "away": whiling away the afternoon with a book, We whiled away the hours playing cards.
The activity itself may be idle or pleasant rather than productive.
Without "away," the word is rarely used.
Reclining in idleness
- loafingPassing time idly
- lazingResting without aim
- dawdlingLeisurely time-wasting
- potteringAimless light activity
mooching · frittering · lingering · dilly-dallying · killing time · twiddling thumbs · lolling · vegetating
Using duration on something
- occupyingFilling or holding space
- bidingWaiting patiently for something
- using upExpending entirely
- ticking awayTime passing gradually
Becoming less tense
- unwindingReleasing coiled tension
- enjoyingFinding pleasure in
- recreatingMaking anew
- playingParticipating in recreation
reading · daydreaming · noodling · tinkering · dabbling · piddling · messing about · chilling
Delaying action strategically
- anticipatingExpecting something to happen
- holding outRefusing to surrender
- sitting tightRemaining in place patiently
- cooling heelsWaiting, often unwillingly
lounging
Reclining in idleness
pottering · mooching · frittering · lingering · dilly-dallying · killing time · twiddling thumbs · lolling · vegetating · slacking
spending time
Using duration on something
getting through · ticking away · running out the clock · marking time
relaxing
Becoming less tense
- unwindingReleasing coiled tension
- enjoyingFinding pleasure in
- recreatingMaking anew
playing · reading · daydreaming · noodling · tinkering · dabbling · piddling · messing about · chilling
biding time
Delaying action strategically
- anticipatingExpecting something to happen
- holding outRefusing to surrender
- sitting tightRemaining in place patiently
cooling heels · hanging around · standing by · counting down · tarrying
- whiling awayPassing time leisurely