procrastinate

[ proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh- ]

verb (used without object)

, pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

1. to defer action; delay:

   to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

verb (used with object)

, pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

1. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

   Synonyms: postpone, prolong

procrastinate

/ prə-; prəʊˈkræstɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. usually intr to put off or defer (an action) until a later time; delay

Derived Forms

• proˌcrastiˈnation, noun
• proˈcrastiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• pro·crasti·nating·ly pro·crasti·native·ly adverb
• pro·crasti·nation noun
• pro·crasti·native pro·cras·ti·na·to·ry [proh-, kras, -t, uh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, pr, uh, -], adjective
• pro·crasti·native·ness noun
• pro·crasti·nator noun
• over·pro·crasti·nation noun
• unpro·crasti·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of procrastinate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin prōcrāstinātus, past participle of prōcrāstināre “to put off until tomorrow,” from prō- pro- ¹ + -crāstināre, derivative of crāstinus “of tomorrow” (from crās “tomorrow” + -tinus, adjective suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of procrastinate¹

C16: from Latin prōcrāstināre to postpone until tomorrow, from pro- ¹+ crās tomorrow

Related Words

• dawdle
• hesitate