da
lly
Third Person
dallies
Present Participle
dallying
Past Tense
dallied
Past Participle
dallied
1
to move slowly, often because of a lack of urgency
- He dallied on his way to work, enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh air.
- The children dallied along the path, picking flowers and chasing butterflies.
- She couldn’t afford to dally any longer, knowing she was already late for her meeting.
- The tourists dallied around the market, admiring the local crafts without rushing.
2
to toy with an idea or possibility without committing to it or taking it seriously
- She dallied with the idea of quitting her job but never acted.
- He dallied with several business plans before settling on one.
- They dallied with the notion of moving abroad.
- I dallied with writing a novel, but it never got past chapter one.
- He dallied with the thought of reconciliation, unsure of his feelings.
3
to engage in romantic or sexual behavior without commitment
- He dallied with several women but never settled down.
- She accused him of dallying with her affections.
- They dallied behind the curtains, whispering and laughing.
- He dallied with her at the party, then disappeared.
- She dallied with suitors, enjoying the attention.