procrastinate

[proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-]

verb (used without object)

procrastinated, procrastinating 

1. to defer action; delay.

   to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

verb (used with object)

procrastinated, procrastinating 

1. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

   Synonyms: postpone, prolong

procrastinate

/ prə-, prəʊˈkræstɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. (usually intr) to put off or defer (an action) until a later time; delay

Other Word Forms

• procrastination noun
• procrastinator noun
• procrastinatingly adverb
• procrastinatively adverb
• procrastinative adjective
• procrastinatory adjective
• procrastinativeness noun
• overprocrastination noun
• unprocrastinated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of procrastinate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin prōcrāstinātus, past participle of prōcrāstināre “to put off until tomorrow,” from prō- pro- ¹ + -crāstināre, derivative of crāstinus “of tomorrow” (from crās “tomorrow” + -tinus, adjective suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of procrastinate¹

C16: from Latin prōcrāstināre to postpone until tomorrow, from _pro- ¹ + crās tomorrow

Example Sentences

No fan of Dyer’s, whose many books have ranged from a bizarre if thrilling immersion in the psyches of American jazz musicians to a volume about procrastinating while trying to write about D.H.

From Los Angeles Times

So Murderbot, instead of proactively going out on these adventures, is procrastinating.

From Salon

Ron Delnevo, from the Payments Choice Alliance, said he was disappointed about the "procrastinating approach" of the committee.

From BBC

Around one-third of Americans procrastinate filing their taxes.

From Salon

I left late because I was procrastinating, and then, thanks to L.A. traffic, got there at 5:45 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dawdle 
• hesitate