loiter

/ˈlɔɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɔɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlȯi-tər/ (ame, mw)

loiter — verb

  • loiterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • loitershe / she / it
  • loiteredpast simple
  • loitering-ing form

1. to remain in a public area or outside a building without a clear reason, which m

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to remain in a public area or outside a building without a clear reason, which may cause others to become suspicious or think you are waiting for something.

例句

The security guard asked the teenagers why they were loitering outside the shop.

loitering + outside + place (police/security context)

Yasmin noticed a group of people loitering near the entrance of the train station.

同義詞
  • linger

    Linger is more neutral and often positive — staying because you enjoy the place or moment (e.g., lingering over coffee).

  • hang around

    Informal. Can be neutral (with friends) or negative (suspiciously) depending on context.

  • mill about

    Describes a group moving without direction, often in confusion or anticipation.

反義詞

文法句型

loiter + around/in/near/outside + place

用法筆記

Frequently appears in official notices and legal language (e.g., 'No loitering' signs). Often implies that the presence is unwanted or suspicious.

常見錯誤

❌He loitered the street for hours.
✅He loitered on the street for hours.
💡loiter is always intransitive; do not use a direct object without a preposition.
❌She was loitering the bookstore.
✅She was loitering outside the bookstore.
💡specify the location with a preposition (outside, near, around, in).

2. to move ahead very slowly by stopping and pausing often, causing delays in reach

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to move ahead very slowly by stopping and pausing often, causing delays in reaching a destination or in keeping up with others.

例句

The kids loitered on the way home from school, stopping to look at every insect.

loiter + on the way (travel/dawdling pattern)

Élise loitered behind the hiking group because she kept stopping to take photographs.

同義詞
  • dawdle

    More common in everyday speech; strongly implies wasting time on purpose.

  • lag behind

    Focuses on being left behind by the group's pace, not just moving slowly.

  • dilly-dally

    Informal and playful; suggests indecision about where to go or what to do.

反義詞
  • hurry

    To move or act with speed.

  • rush

    To move quickly because of urgency.

文法句型

loiter + behind/on + group/path/journey

用法筆記

Less common than sense 1. Used mainly in descriptive or literary writing about travel, walks, or journeys where someone falls behind by pausing too often.

常見錯誤

❌She loitered her walk to school.
✅She loitered on her walk to school.
💡do not use loiter transitively; always add a preposition phrase.
❌The car loitered behind the truck.
✅The car lagged behind the truck.
💡loiter is for people walking, not vehicles.