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lollygag

verb
lol·​ly·​gag | \ ˈlä-lÄ“-ËŒgag How to pronounce lollygag (audio) \
variants: or less commonly
lollygagged; lollygagging

Definition of lollygag

intransitive verb

: fool around sense 1, dawdle Stop lollygagging and get to work.
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about lollygag

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Did You Know?

You certainly didn't want to be known as a lollygagger at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, lollygag was slang for "fooling around" (sexually, that is). That sense of lollygag was in use as long ago as 1868, and it probably originated as an alteration of the older (and more dawdlingly innocent) lallygag. Nowadays, lollygag doesn't usually carry such naughty connotations, but back in 1946, one Navy captain considered lollygagging enough of a problem to issue this stern warning: "Lovemaking and lollygagging are hereby strictly forbidden.... The holding of hands, osculation and constant embracing of WAVES [Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service], corpsmen or civilians and sailors or any combination of male and female personnel is a violation of naval discipline...."

Examples of lollygag in a Sentence

He was kicked off the team for lollygagging during practice. Stop lollygagging around and get to work!

First Known Use of lollygag

1868, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lollygag

origin unknown

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More Definitions for lollygag

lollygag

verb
How to pronounce lollygag (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lollygag

US, informal : to spend time doing things that are not useful or serious : to fool around and waste time

See the full definition for lollygag in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on lollygag

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lollygag

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lollygag

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