dally — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To waste time in trivial activities, or in idleness; to trifle.

   Synonyms

   dawdledilly-dally

   Examples

   I wish, grave governor, 'twere in my power / To favour you; but 'tis my father's cause, / Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally.

   […] after we by our presumptuous delays have put off God, and dallied with his grace; […]

   More examples (1)

   […] we have trifled too long already about a matter of such infinite moment, it is perfect Madness to dally any longer. […]

2. To caress, especially of a sexual nature; to fondle or pet

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Synonyms

   feel upgropetouch up

   Examples

   Not dallying with a Brace of Curtizans, / But meditating with two deepe Diuines:

   More examples (2)

   Mr Dombey in the meantime stood bolt upright in the carriage like a highly respectable ghost, looking on too; while Cleopatra and the Major dallied as two ancient doves might do.

   So, at the sound of that stirring call to battle, George jumped away from the gentle arms in which he had been dallying; not without a feeling of shame (although his wife's hold on him had been but feeble), that he should have been detained there so long.

   2024, The November Nethack Tournament achievements Dally with a foocubus

3. To delay unnecessarily; to while away.

   Synonyms

   kill time

Noun

1. Several wraps of rope around the saddle horn, used to stop animals in roping.

   Examples

   What matters is now if he tied hard and fast, / Or tumbled his steer with a dally.

Verb

1. To wind the lasso rope (ie throw-rope) around the saddle horn (the saddle horn is attached to the pommel of a western style saddle) after the roping of an animal

   Examples

   The end of the top rope he dallied around the gooseneck trailer hitch.

Verb

1. behave carelessly or indifferently

   Synonyms

   toyplayflirt

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   Play about with a young girl's affection

2. waste time

   Synonyms

   dawdle

   Broader terms

   actbehavedoacquitbeardeportconductcomportcarry

   Examples

   Get busy — don't dally!

3. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

   Synonyms

   chat upflirtbutterflycoquetcoquetteromancephilandermash

   Broader terms

   talkspeak

   Examples

   The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries

   My husband never flirts with other women

4. consider not very seriously

   Synonyms

   trifleplay

   Broader terms

   considertakedeallook at

   Examples

   He is trifling with her

   She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania