loiter[verb]Synonyms: linger, dally, dawdle, dilly-dally
(informal), hang about
or around, idle, loaf, skulk
English Thesaurus: stay, remain, linger, loiter, hang around, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
loi‧ter /ˈlɔɪtə $ -ər/
verb [intransitive][
Date: 1400-1500;
Origin: Probably from Middle Dutch loteren 'to be loose']
1. to stand or wait somewhere, especially in a public place, without any clear reason
Synonym : hang about,
hang around:
Five or six teenagers were loitering in front of the newsagent’s.2. to move or do something slowly, or to keep stopping when you should keep moving
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
stay to not leave a place, or to be in a place for a particular period of time:
Stay where you are and don’t move. John only stayed at the party for a couple of hours.remain formal to stay somewhere. In written English, people often prefer to use
remain rather than
stay, because it sounds more formal:
Some 2,000 protesters remained outside the building and refused to leave. The judge recommended that he remain in jail for the rest of his life.linger to stay in a place a little longer than you need to, because you are enjoying yourself, or because you hope to see someone or something:
He lingered outside the lecture hall, hoping for a chance to talk to her. There are plenty of small cafés where you can linger over a cappuccino.loiter to stay in a place not doing anything – used when you think someone is waiting for the chance to do something bad or illegal:
The two men had been seen loitering in the area on the day that the car was stolen.hang around informal to stay somewhere not doing anything:
There are gangs of boys hanging around on street corners. I don’t mind hanging around for a few minutes. The boss doesn’t like being kept hanging around.stick around informal to stay in the same place or situation for a period of time, especially while you are waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive:
I decided to stick around and see how it all turned out. Make up your mind. I’m not going to stick around forever.a long stay During his long stay in the south, he painted only one portrait.a short/brief stay No visa is required for short stays.an overnight stay Business trips may involve an overnight stay.a pleasant/enjoyable stay Our driver said goodbye and wished us a pleasant stay.a hospital stay (
also a stay in hospital British English, a stay in the hospital American English)
Sally is back at work after a short stay in hospital.have a nice/pleasant etc stay We hope you have a pleasant stay.extend/prolong your stay (=stay longer) He could not be persuaded to extend his stay. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲