First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
loiter
verb loi·ter \ˈlȯi-tər\
: to remain in an area when you do not have a particular reason to be there
Full Definition of LOITER
intransitive verb
1
: to delay an activity with idle stops and pauses : dawdle
2
a : to remain in an area for no obvious reason b : to lag behind
— loiter noun
— loi·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
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Origin of LOITER
Middle English
Related to LOITER
Synonym Discussion of LOITER
delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival <bad weather delayed our arrival>. retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping <language barriers retarded their progress>. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention <medication slowed the patient's heart rate>, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort <on hot days runners slacken their pace>. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time <unexpected business had detained her>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
Rhymes with LOITER
LOITER Defined for Kids
loiter
verb loi·ter \ˈlȯi-tər\
loi·teredloi·ter·ing
Definition of LOITER for Kids
1
: to hang around somewhere for no good reason <Loitering outside the store is prohibited.>
2
: to dawdle on the way to somewhere <Don't loiter on your way home.>
— loi·ter·er noun
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