dawdle
/ˈdɔːdəl/
Group 18Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To waste time; to move slowly and idly GRE
Example in Context
The students dawdled over their assignments, unaware that the approaching deadline would leave no margin for last-minute revisions.
Synonyms
waste timelingerdelay
Etymology
To waste time by moving slowly and idly.
- dawd (Middle English) — to waste time
Memory Aid
🐢Sounds like “dawdle”
If a tortoise DAWDLED to the finish line, it’d take a million years to win the race!
Visual Association
⏳A sloth lounging on a branch, taking forever to decide what to do next.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “dawdle” mean on the GRE?
dawdle (verb) means “To waste time; to move slowly and idly”. The students dawdled over their assignments, unaware that the approaching deadline would leave no margin for last-minute revisions.
How to remember “dawdle” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “dawdle” sounds like “dawdle”. If a tortoise DAWDLED to the finish line, it’d take a million years to win the race!
What are synonyms for “dawdle”?
Common synonyms: waste time, linger, delay.