Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for dally. Search instead for dalolta.
Definitions

dally

[dal-ee] / ˈdæl i /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He did not dally, perhaps mindful of what had happened the night before.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

If you dally as the clock approaches 2 p.m. on Sunday, you will see that Jerson Osorio’s team can unbuild a city as fast as they can build one.

From Slate ● Dec. 22, 2024

Don’t dally — food is only out for one hour.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023

To Williams, the comment was an acknowledgment of how quickly the 49ers’ pass rush was getting pressure, and Wentz didn’t want Williams to dally while reading the defense.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 30, 2022

“I, for one, will not dally, as I’m incredibly busy.”

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

The author gallops through vital moments in world history across the centuries but dallies over what seem like niche aspects of medieval French history.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Nightmare for stand-in Dons captain Angus MacDonald as he dallies on the ball and is dispossessed by Kyogo Furuhashi.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2024

In the second act, she goes to Vassar, dallies with a fellow student and with a publisher — thoroughly modern Millay — and then Mr. Scanlan’s interest in chronology, never very strong, gives up altogether.

From New York Times ● Oct. 26, 2018

He’s got options either side, but dillies and dallies.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 12, 2015

A foamy brown brook that flashes and dallies, is captured and breaks free again, down along the mountain has been coaxed by some wood nymph to furnish sparkling water for her round rock bath.

From Minstrel Weather by Marian Storm

Rennes midfielder Quentin Merlin dallied deep in his own area and was ambushed by Timothy Weah who passed to Amine Gouiri.

From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026

It, along with its sibling, had stood empty for nearly 25 years, as local, county and Navy authorities dallied on what to do with them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2023

After the fourth try, scored by Etzebeth, made it 26-25, Dupont dallied on the ball and got knocked back as South Africa won a penalty and went further ahead.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2023

For example, the amateur developers who used Reddit’s API to build their own compatible mobile apps while the company dallied on making an official, workable one.

From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2023

She dallied and sometimes sat under trees, searched for lady’s slippers or white trilliums to pick, and contemplated her attraction to the world of illusions—her craving for existence and entertainment, for clothes, makeup, dances, movies.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

At Ojai, Lewis wistfully performed the solo prelude off in Libbey Park shrubbery as if a dallying forest spirit summoning ghosts of festivals past.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

Rabbi Matondo then spurned a big chance to double Rangers' lead on the brink of half-time, dallying on the ball and allowing Atkinson to get back and block the shot.

From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2024

In doing so, McAfee showed he’s not one for dallying, setting the trial 11 days before the Nov. 3 deadline.

From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2023

In the meantime, a few brands are dallying with cool stuff on the side.

From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2019

“Sometimes you have to live down to people’s expectations, Kate. If you can do that, you'll get much further in life. Now quit dallying and get inside before they come back.”

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland


Vocabulary lists containing dally

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com