loitering

[ loi-ter-ing ]

noun

1. the act of lingering aimlessly or as if aimlessly in or about a place:

   A cluster of teens gathered in front of the plaza were charged with violating a city bylaw against loitering.

2. the act of moving in a slow, idle manner, with purposeless stops:

   His celebration of loitering as the best form of travel will resonate with anyone who has ever dared toss away a tourist map.

3. the act of wasting time or dawdling over work:

   As film director Jean Renoir notes, “The foundation of all civilization is loitering” because it gives time for creative thinking.

adjective

1. lingering aimlessly, moving slowly and idly, or wasting time:

   Fossil fuels may not remain plentiful long enough to underwrite such a loitering transition to renewable energy.

Other Words From

• loi·ter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of loitering¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; loiter ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; loiter ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

He says he’s improved his locks, put in cameras and even offered soft drinks to kids loitering outside in a bid to win them over.

From BBC

She said she told management a fence was needed to keep people from loitering on the property.

From Los Angeles Times

"There was less crime back when I was younger because every road you went down, there was a milkman loitering," he explained.

From BBC

Banned activities include “camping, overnight demonstrations, or overnight loitering” and “unauthorized temporary or permanent structures, walls, barriers, barricades, furniture, or other objects.”

From Los Angeles Times

The pilot program at the North Hollywood station is the the agency’s latest effort to stem crime and prevent loitering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lag
• moratorium
• postponement
• problem
• setback
• stoppage
• suspension
• wait