DALLY Meaning and
Definition
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Dally is a verb that has multiple meanings, characterized by the act of engaging in trivial or frivolous activities or behavior in a leisurely and non-serious manner. It commonly refers to wasting time, lingering, or delaying action without any real purpose or direction.
One aspect of dallying is related to leisurely and aimless pursuit, such as engaging in idle conversation or gossip, engaging in unproductive activities, or simply passing the time without a clear objective. For instance, one might dally by lingering around a park, engaging in idle chit-chat, or indulging in a hobby without any serious commitment.
Additionally, dally can also refer to the act of delaying or procrastinating, often indicating a lack of urgency or seriousness in completing a task or fulfilling a responsibility. For example, an individual may dally in finishing their work or fulfilling an obligation by intentionally prolonging the process without any sense of urgency or efficiency.
In a romantic context, dallying can indicate the act of flirting or engaging in a brief and casual romantic involvement without any serious commitment or intention of long-term involvement. It may imply a superficial or nonchalant approach to relationships, characterized by temporary engagements or dalliances instead of genuine emotional investment.
Overall, the term "dally" denotes engaging in frivolous or unproductive activities, aimlessly wasting time, delaying or procrastinating, or participating in brief and casual romantic involvements without serious commitment.
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To lose time by trifling; to fondle; to play with caressingly; to put off; to amuse for the purpose of delay.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DALLY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DALLY
Etymology of DALLY
The word dally has roots in Old English and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Middle English term dallen, which meant to talk idly, to gossip.
The Old English word dal, which means division, part, or portion, is also related to the etymology of dally. This connection suggests that the word originally referred to dividing one's time or attention.
Over time, the meaning of dally evolved, and by the 16th century, it came to signify to waste time or to idle. In the 17th century, it gained its more contemporary meaning of to play or flirt casually.
Idioms with the word DALLY
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dally over sth
The idiom "dally over something" means to spend more time than necessary or to procrastinate when completing a task or engaging in an activity. It suggests a lack of focus or seriousness, often leading to inefficiency or wastage of time.
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dally over (something)
The idiom "dally over (something)" means to waste time by taking too long or delaying the completion of a task or activity. It implies a lack of urgency or a tendency to procrastinate.
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dally with sm
To "dally with someone" means to engage in a casual or flirtatious relationship with that person, usually without any serious commitment or intentions. It implies a temporary, enjoyable partnership that may involve romantic or physical interactions, but not necessarily leading to a more serious or long-term relationship.
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dally with someone
The idiom "dally with someone" means to engage in a casual or flirtatious relationship with someone without any serious commitment or intention. It implies a temporary or short-lived involvement characterized by an absence of seriousness or a lack of genuine interest.
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dally with (one)
The idiom "dally with (one)" means to engage in a romantic or flirtatious relationship with someone but without any serious commitment. It implies a casual or transient involvement without any intention of pursuing a long-term relationship.
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dilly-dally (around) with (someone or something)
To waste time by being slow or indecisive in dealing with someone or something.
Similar spelling words for DALLY
- dahl,
- dayley,
- dail,
- dahle,
- Daly,
- dale,
- Dalia,
- ally,
- doll,
- dually,
- dahlia,
- daily,
- dull,
- Dall,
- tall,
- dali,
- Dailey,
- Dawley,
- delay,
- Daleo,
- Dayle,
- dearly,
- dal,
- tally,
- dalea,
- doily,
- dalo,
- daloia,
- dalley,
- rally,
- Daley.
Conjugate verb Dally
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have dallied
you
would have dallied
he/she/it
would have dallied
we
would have dallied
they
would have dallied
I
would have dally
you
would have dally
he/she/it
would have dally
we
would have dally
they
would have dally
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been dallying
you
would have been dallying
he/she/it
would have been dallying
we
would have been dallying
they
would have been dallying
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would dally
you
would dally
he/she/it
would dally
we
would dally
they
would dally
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be dallying
you
would be dallying
he/she/it
would be dallying
we
would be dallying
they
would be dallying
FUTURE
I
will dally
you
will dally
he/she/it
will dally
we
will dally
they
will dally
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be dallying
you
will be dallying
he/she/it
will be dallying
we
will be dallying
they
will be dallying
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have dallied
you
will have dallied
he/she/it
will have dallied
we
will have dallied
they
will have dallied
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been dallying
you
will have been dallying
he/she/it
will have been dallying
we
will have been dallying
they
will have been dallying
IMPERATIVE
you
dally
we
let´s dally
to dally
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was dallying
you
were dallying
he/she/it
was dallying
we
were dallying
they
were dallying
PAST PARTICIPLE
dallied
PAST PERFECT
I
had dallied
you
had dallied
he/she/it
had dallied
we
had dallied
they
had dallied
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been dallying
you
had been dallying
he/she/it
had been dallying
we
had been dallying
they
had been dallying
PRESENT
I
dally
you
dally
he/she/it
dallies
we
dally
they
dally
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am dallying
you
are dallying
he/she/it
is dallying
we
are dallying
they
are dallying
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
dallying
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have dallied
you
have dallied
he/she/it
has dallied
we
have dallied
they
have dallied
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been dallying
you
have been dallying
he/she/it
has been dallying
we
have been dallying
they
have been dallying
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
dally
SIMPLE PAST
I
dallied
you
dallied
he/she/it
dallied
we
dallied
they
dallied
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