Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dally

/ˈdæli/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.78 in modern English

Syllables
dal-ly
IPA
/ˈdæli/
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

verb

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

verb

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

noun

Alternative form of dolly (“offering of fruit or flowers”).

Indian usage

name

A surname.

noun

A New Zealand person of Croatian or other Balkan descent.

New Zealand usage; Colloquial

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English dalien, from Anglo-Norman delaier. Doublet of delay.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce dally?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdæli/.
What does dally mean?
To waste time in trivial activities, or in idleness; to trifle.
Where does dally come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce dally

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dally”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈdæli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “dally”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “dally” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.