loitering
ˈlɔɪtərɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of loitering - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

aimless behaviorstaying in a place without a clear reason
  • Loitering outside the store is not allowed.
dawdling lingering

Adjective

idle presenceremaining in a place without clear purpose
  • The loitering teenagers were asked to leave the store.
lingering loafing
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Expressions with loitering

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munition that waits and attacks once a target is found
The army deployed a loitering munition to monitor the area.

Origin of loitering

Middle Dutch, loteren (to stagger)

Terms with loitering included in their meaning

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loitering
linger or loiter without purpose
loitering
loiter or linger without purpose
behavior
suspicious behaviour or the act of loitering with intent
crime
driver loitering for illicit activities

Examples of loitering in a sentence

  • Complaints about loitering in the alley increased last month.
  • The loitering guests blocked the hallway.
  • Loitering individuals were seen near the entrance.

View all translations of loitering

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  1. French:flânerie, oisif, ...
  2. German:Herumlungern, herumlungernd, ...
  3. Italian:oziare, ozioso, ...
  4. Spanish:merodeo, merodeador, ...
  5. Portuguese:vadiagem, vadiando, ...
  6. Chinese:游荡, 闲逛的, ...
  7. Japanese:たむろ, たむろしている, ...
  8. Arabic:تَسَكُّع, مُتَسَكِّع, ...
  9. Hebrew:שׁוֹטְטוּת, מְשׁוֹטֵט, ...
  10. Russian:праздношатание, бездельничающий, ...
  11. Ukrainian:байдикування, безцільний, ...
  12. Hindi:बेवजह घूमना, मंडराते, ...
loiter
ˈlɔɪtə

Definition of loiter - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

intr.
1.
remainstay in a place instead of leaving
  • He decided to loiter at the park after school.
dawdle linger
2.
idle standingstand around without any clear purpose
  • Teenagers often loiter outside the mall.
dawdle idle linger
3.
aviationTECH.hover in the air near a targetTECH.
  • The drone will loiter over the area for surveillance.
hang around hover linger
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Expressions with loiter

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
linger in a place with a criminal purpose
The police arrested him for loitering with intent near the store.

Origin of loiter

Dutch, leuteren (to idle)

Examples of loiter in a sentence

  • Tourists often loiter around the historic sites.
  • People tend to loiter in the park during lunch hours.
  • Security asked the group not to loiter near the entrance.
  • The helicopter will loiter above the city for an hour.
  • Military jets loiter to maintain a strategic advantage.

View all translations of loiter

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:traîner, errer, ...
  2. German:verweilen, trödeln, ...
  3. Italian:bighellonare, gironzolare, ...
  4. Spanish:merodear, vagabundear, ...
  5. Portuguese:permanecer, vadiar, ...
  6. Chinese:逗留, 闲逛, ...
  7. Japanese:たむろする, 旋回する, ...
  8. Arabic:تَسَكَّعَ, وَقَفَ مُتَبَاطِئًا, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְהִשְׁתַּהוֹת, לְהִתְבַּטֵּל, ...
  10. Russian:задерживаться, бездельничать, ...
  11. Ukrainian:затримуватися, байдикувати, ...
  12. Hindi:मंडराना, आवारागर्दी करना, ...

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