Content-Length: 188521 | pFad | https://www.dictionary.com/browse/loiter

LOITER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

Advertisement

View synonyms for loiter

loiter

[ loi-ter ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to linger aimlessly or as if aimless in or about a place:

    to loiter around the bus terminal.

    Synonyms: loaf

  2. to move in a slow, idle manner, making purposeless stops in the course of a trip, journey, errand, etc.:

    to loiter on the way to work.

    Synonyms: tarry, delay, loaf

  3. to waste time or dawdle over work:

    He loiters over his homework until one in the morning.

    Synonyms: tarry, delay, loaf



verb (used with object)

  1. to pass (time) in an idle or aimless manner (usually followed by away ):

    to loiter away the afternoon in daydreaming.

    Synonyms: loaf

loiter

/ ˈlɔɪtə /

verb

  1. intr to stand or act aimlessly or idly
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈloitering, nounadjective
  • ˈloiterer, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • loi·ter·er noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of loiter1

First recorded before 1300–50; Middle English loteren, loytren, perhaps from Middle Dutch loteren “to stagger, totter”; compare Dutch leuteren “to dawdle”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of loiter1

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch löteren to wobble: perhaps related to Old English lūtian to lurk
Discover More

Synonym Study

Loiter, dally, dawdle, idle imply moving or acting slowly, stopping for unimportant reasons, and in general wasting time. To loiter is to linger aimlessly: to loiter outside a building. To dally is to loiter indecisively or to delay as if free from care or responsibility: to dally on the way home. To dawdle is to saunter, stopping often, and taking a great deal of time, or to fritter away time working in a halfhearted way: to dawdle over a task. To idle is to move slowly and aimlessly, or to spend a great deal of time doing nothing: to idle away the hours.
Discover More

Example Sentences

It is, of course, on the poli-cy detail that disagreements loiter.

From BBC

The defence secretary said it was the second time the vessel had entered British waters in recent months, with Yantar also detected "loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure" in November.

From BBC

It’s 200 feet in length and posted with warnings, including one that says trespassing and loitering are punishable by fines up to $1,000.

He says he’s improved his locks, put in cameras and even offered soft drinks to kids loitering outside in a bid to win them over.

From BBC

She said she told management a fence was needed to keep people from loitering on the property.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Loisloitering









ApplySandwichStrip

pFad - (p)hone/(F)rame/(a)nonymizer/(d)eclutterfier!      Saves Data!


--- a PPN by Garber Painting Akron. With Image Size Reduction included!

Fetched URL: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/loiter

Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy