How Do You Spell SHILLYSHALLY?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈɪlɪʃə͡li] (IPA)

The word "shillyshally" is spelled with three syllables: /ˈʃɪliʃæli/. The first syllable starts with the "sh" sound, pronounced as /ʃ/, followed by the short "i" sound /ɪ/. The second syllable is also pronounced with a short "i" sound /ɪ/ and the letter "y" represents the sound /j/. The final syllable features the "a" sound pronounced as /æ/, followed by the letter "l" pronounced as /l/, and ends with the sound of the letter "i" /i/.

SHILLYSHALLY Meaning and Definition

1. Shillyshally is a verb that is used to describe the act of hesitating, being indecisive, or wavering in making a decision or taking action. It refers to the action of being unsure or uncertain, often resulting in delays or prolonging a decision-making process.

   When someone shillyshallies, they may display a lack of assertiveness, choosing to remain in a state of doubt instead of making a clear choice. This term is often used to depict a person who vacillates between options, unable to commit to one course of action, which can impede progress or the completion of a task.

   The word derives from two English dialect words, "shill" which means "skew" or "slant," and "shally" which means to falter or hesitate. The combined term, shillyshally, emphasizes the notion of being unsteady or uncommitted in one's actions or decisions.

   Shillyshally is commonly used in informal or colloquial contexts, and it often carries a slightly negative connotation. It is used to express impatience or annoyance with the lack of determination or decisiveness demonstrated by an individual. The term can also be employed as a noun to refer to someone who habitually engages in such behavior.

   In summary, shillyshally refers to the act of hesitating, being indecisive, or wavering in making choices or taking action, often resulting in delays or procrastination.

Common Misspellings for SHILLYSHALLY

• ahillyshally
• zhillyshally
• xhillyshally
• dhillyshally
• ehillyshally
• whillyshally
• sgillyshally
• sbillyshally
• snillyshally
• sjillyshally
• suillyshally
• syillyshally
• shullyshally
• shjllyshally
• shkllyshally
• shollyshally
• sh9llyshally
• sh8llyshally
• shiklyshally

Etymology of SHILLYSHALLY

The word "shillyshally" is believed to have originated around the early 18th century in England. It is formed from the combination of two words: "shilly" and "shally".

The origins of "shilly" and "shally" are uncertain, but their usage suggests an imitation of the sound made by hesitating or wavering individuals. "Shilly" is thought to originate from the Middle English word "shulily", which means "shakily" or "unsteadily". On the other hand, "shally" may come from the Middle English word "shailen", meaning "to stumble" or "to falter".

Over time, the repetitive nature of "shilly" and "shally" led to the creation of "shillyshally" as a single verb, used to describe indecision, hesitation, or a lack of resolve.

Plural form of SHILLYSHALLY is SHILLYSHALLIES

Conjugate verb Shillyshally

CONDITIONAL

I would shillyshally

you would shillyshally

he/she/it would shillyshally

we would shillyshally

they would shillyshally

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be shillyshallying

you would be shillyshallying

he/she/it would be shillyshallying

we would be shillyshallying

they would be shillyshallying

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have shillyshally

you would have shillyshally

he/she/it would have shillyshally

we would have shillyshally

they would have shillyshally

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been shillyshallying

you would have been shillyshallying

he/she/it would have been shillyshallying

we would have been shillyshallying

they would have been shillyshallying

FUTURE

I will shillyshally

you will shillyshally

he/she/it will shillyshally

we will shillyshally

they will shillyshally

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be shillyshallying

you will be shillyshallying

he/she/it will be shillyshallying

we will be shillyshallying

they will be shillyshallying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have shillyshallied

you will have shillyshallied

he/she/it will have shillyshallied

we will have shillyshallied

they will have shillyshallied

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been shillyshallying

you will have been shillyshallying

he/she/it will have been shillyshallying

we will have been shillyshallying

they will have been shillyshallying

IMPERATIVE

you shillyshally

we let´s shillyshally

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to shillyshally

PAST

I shillyshallied

you shillyshallied

he/she/it shillyshallied

we shillyshallied

they shillyshallied

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was shillyshallying

you were shillyshallying

he/she/it was shillyshallying

we were shillyshallying

they were shillyshallying

PAST PARTICIPLE

shillyshallied

PAST PERFECT

I had shillyshallied

you had shillyshallied

he/she/it had shillyshallied

we had shillyshallied

they had shillyshallied

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been shillyshallying

you had been shillyshallying

he/she/it had been shillyshallying

we had been shillyshallying

they had been shillyshallying

PRESENT

I shillyshally

you shillyshally

he/she/it shillyshallies

we shillyshally

they shillyshally

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am shillyshallying

you are shillyshallying

he/she/it is shillyshallying

we are shillyshallying

they are shillyshallying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

shillyshallying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have shillyshallied

you have shillyshallied

he/she/it has shillyshallied

we have shillyshallied

they have shillyshallied

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been shillyshallying

you have been shillyshallying

he/she/it has been shillyshallying

we have been shillyshallying

they have been shillyshallying