dawdle

/ˈdɔːdl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɔːdl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdȯ-dᵊl/ (ame, mw)

dawdle — verb

  • dawdlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dawdleshe / she / it
  • dawdledpast simple
  • dawdling-ing form

1. to be unnecessarily slow while walking, eating, or doing a simple task, especial

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to be unnecessarily slow while walking, eating, or doing a simple task, especially when other people are waiting.

例句

Eri dawdled over her cereal until the school bus honked outside.

dawdle over + meal while others wait

Don't dawdle, Owen, or the museum tour will start without us.

imperative warning: don't dawdle

同義詞
  • linger

    more neutral and often suggests staying because you want to, not wasting time.

  • dilly-dally

    more playful and scolding in tone, often about fussing instead of getting on.

  • procrastinate

    used more for putting off work or decisions than for slow physical movement.

反義詞
  • hurry

    means to move or act quickly instead of wasting time.

  • rush

    stronger than 'hurry' and suggests moving with speed or pressure.

文法句型

dawdle over + meal/task

dawdle along + path/street

dawdle on the way + place

用法筆記

Often used when the slowness is visible and mildly annoying, especially with children or someone getting ready. Unlike 'stall', it usually suggests careless slowness rather than deliberate delay.

常見錯誤

❌She dawdled her breakfast again.
✅She dawdled over her breakfast again.
💡'dawdle' is usually intransitive, so use a preposition when naming the activity.