Instead of doing his homework, Charlie futzed around on Facebook all day.
audio
2 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
Picture
Impede -
To create obstacles or difficulties that hinder an action or process.
His lack of experience may impede his chances of getting the job.
audio
3 of22 Bad /
Delay
adjective
stagnant -
Showing no activity; dull and sluggish
In the last few decades, the income of the richest 10% has increased while that of the bottom 90% has remained stagnant.
audio
4 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
dally -
To do something slowly or too slowly; to waste time
Ike had dozens of reports to read through, but he decided to dally in the office for most of the day instead of doing his work.
audio
5 of22 Bad /
Delay
noun
straggler -
A person or animal that is last in a group to do something or the last to get to or leave a place
While the other runners were far ahead of him, the straggler struggled at the back of the line.
audio
6 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
Picture
balk -
To hesitate or be unwilling to continue with an idea or action.
Max had made all the plans to move from his apartment to the senior citizens home, but at the last minute, he balked and just couldn’t go through with it.
audio
7 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
dither -
Be indecisive
Maggie would always dither when dealing with issues instead of just making a decision.
audio
8 of22 Bad /
Delay
adjective
stagnate -
Cease developing; become inactive or dull
The stagnating economy had left workers nervous about keeping their jobs.
audio
9 of22 Bad /
Delay
noun
sloth -
Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness
Reed spent the whole day living in sloth, never even leaving the couch.
audio
10 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
linger -
Stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave
The waiter and waitress staff needed to head home, but they first had to wait for the lingering customers to leave.
audio
11 of22 Bad /
Delay
noun
Picture
backlog -
A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done
When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up on, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a month to catch up.
audio
12 of22 Bad /
Delay
verb
dillydally -
Waste time through aimless wandering or indecision
Beth and Kat dillydallied outside the store instead of going inside and buying something.
