How to pronounce dawdle
Say it like DAW-dul. Dawdle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dawdle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DAW
- dul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dawdle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- dulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dawdle
American and British speakers say dawdle in essentially the same way: /ˈdɔdəl/ in the US and /ˈdɔːdəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: DAW-dul.
What does dawdle mean?
- Chiefly followed by away: to spend (time) without haste or purpose.“to dawdle away the whole morning”
- To spend time idly and unfruitfully; to waste time.
- To move or walk lackadaisically.“If you dawdle on your daily walk, you won’t get as much exercise.”
- An act of spending time idly and unfruitfully; a dawdling.
- An act of moving or walking lackadaisically, a dawdling; a leisurely or slow walk or other journey.
- Synonym of dawdler (“a person who dawdles or idles”).
- Alternative spelling of doddle (“a job, task, or other activity that is easy to complete or simple”).
Where does dawdle come from?
The noun is derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dawdle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dawdle.
Questions about saying dawdle
How do you pronounce dawdle?
Say DAW-dul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɔdəl/. In British English it is /ˈdɔːdəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dawdle?
Dawdle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAW). Broken into parts: DAW · dul.
Do Americans and Brits say dawdle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɔdəl/ and the British form is /ˈdɔːdəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.