How to pronounce lollygag
Say it like LOL-ih-gag. Lollygag has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lollygag. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOL
- ih
- gag
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lollygag pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- gagKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of lollygag
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: LOL-ih-gag.
What does lollygag mean?
- To dawdle; to be lazy or idle; to avoid necessary work or effort.
- To fool around, especially sexually.
- To effusively (often excessively) display affection.
- Silliness, nonsense.“He likes to do his car up with blacked-out windows, and all that lollygag.”
- A useless or worthless person or thing.“The lallygag strolls down the road that leads to Failureville.”
Where does lollygag come from?
By surface analysis, lolly (“fool, tongue”) + gag (“fool around”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying lollygag
How do you pronounce lollygag?
Say LOL-ih-gag. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɑlɪɡæɡ/. In British English it is /ˈlɒlɪɡæɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lollygag?
Lollygag has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOL). Broken into parts: LOL · ih · gag.
Is lollygag pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈlɒlɪɡæɡ/ (LOL-ih-gag).