How Do You Spell DILLYDALLY?

Pronunciation: [dˈɪlɪdə͡li] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "dillydally" may seem confusing at first, but it can be easily explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "dil," is pronounced like "dɪl" with a short "i" sound. The second syllable, "ly," is pronounced like "li" with a long "i" sound. Finally, the last syllable, "dally," is pronounced like "dæli" with a short "a" sound. So, when put together, "dillydally" is pronounced like "dɪli-li-dæli." Don't dillydally any longer and start using IPA to improve your pronunciation!

DILLYDALLY Meaning and Definition

1. Dillydally is a verb that refers to a somewhat aimless or purposefully slow manner of engaging in an activity, often resulting in wasting time or delaying progress. It is typically used to describe a person who is indecisive, hesitant, or lacking a sense of urgency. When someone dillydallies, they exhibit a tendency to procrastinate, engage in unnecessary activities, or become easily distracted from the task at hand.

   The term "dillydally" can also carry a connotation of frivolity or immaturity, suggesting that the person involved may have a tendency to prioritize trivial matters over more important ones. It implies a sense of neglecting responsibilities or failing to fulfill obligations due to a lack of focus or commitment.

   Furthermore, "dillydally" may be used in a figurative sense, similar to "to drag one's feet," to express a delay or hesitation in making decisions or taking action. This could be applied to various contexts, such as in personal relationships, work situations, or even in achieving personal goals.

   Overall, the term "dillydally" encompasses a sense of wasting time through purposeful delay, indecisiveness, or engaging in trivial pursuits, often resulting in a lack of progress or accomplishment.

Common Misspellings for DILLYDALLY

• sillydally
• xillydally
• cillydally
• fillydally
• rillydally
• eillydally
• dullydally
• djllydally
• dkllydally
• dollydally
• d9llydally
• d8llydally
• diklydally
• diplydally
• diolydally
• dilkydally
• dilpydally
• diloydally
• dallydally
• dillydalyr
• Dillydalleys
• dillydalia
• dillydaley
• Collydally

Etymology of DILLYDALLY

The word "dillydally" is believed to have originated in the early to mid-18th century. It is a combination of two reduplicative elements that were commonly used in English at the time. "Dilly" is thought to be derived from the word "delight" or "delicate", while "dally" comes from the word "dol" meaning "fool". The repetition of these two elements in "dillydally" is likely meant to intensify the language and convey the idea of wasting time or idling in a foolish manner.

Idioms with the word DILLYDALLY

• dillydally (around) with sm or sth The idiom "dillydally (around) with someone or something" means to waste time or procrastinate by being indecisive, hesitant, or overly cautious in dealing with someone or something. It suggests a lack of action or progress due to a person's dawdling or delaying behavior.

Similar spelling words for DILLYDALLY

• dilly-dally,
• dilly-dallier,
• dillydallier.

Conjugate verb Dillydally

CONDITIONAL

I would dillydally

we would dillydally

you would dillydally

he/she/it would dillydally

they would dillydally

FUTURE

I will dillydally

we will dillydally

you will dillydally

he/she/it will dillydally

they will dillydally

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have dillydallied

we will have dillydallied

you will have dillydallied

he/she/it will have dillydallied

they will have dillydallied

PAST

I dillydallied

we dillydallied

you dillydallied

he/she/it dillydallied

they dillydallied

PAST PERFECT

I had dillydallied

we had dillydallied

you had dillydallied

he/she/it had dillydallied

they had dillydallied

PRESENT

I dillydally

we dillydally

you dillydally

he/she/it dillydallies

they dillydally

PRESENT PERFECT

I have dillydallied

we have dillydallied

you have dillydallied

he/she/it has dillydallied

they have dillydallied

I am dillydallying

we are dillydallying

you are dillydallying

he/she/it is dillydallying

they are dillydallying

I was dillydallying

we were dillydallying

you were dillydallying

he/she/it was dillydallying

they were dillydallying

I will be dillydallying

we will be dillydallying

you will be dillydallying

he/she/it will be dillydallying

they will be dillydallying

I have been dillydallying

we have been dillydallying

you have been dillydallying

he/she/it has been dillydallying

they have been dillydallying

I had been dillydallying

we had been dillydallying

you had been dillydallying

he/she/it had been dillydallying

they had been dillydallying

I will have been dillydallying

we will have been dillydallying

you will have been dillydallying

he/she/it will have been dillydallying

they will have been dillydallying

I would have dillydallied

we would have dillydallied

you would have dillydallied

he/she/it would have dillydallied

they would have dillydallied

I would be dillydallying

we would be dillydallying

you would be dillydallying

he/she/it would be dillydallying

they would be dillydallying

I would have been dillydallying

we would have been dillydallying

you would have been dillydallying

he/she/it would have been dillydallying

they would have been dillydallying