DictionarypiddleWasting time
verb

piddle

To waste time on trivial activities.

He piddles around at his desk instead of finishing the report.

Etymology

Piddle has had senses involving small or trifling actions. This sense emphasizes time consumed in insignificant activity; the word’s deeper origin is uncertain.

More examples

  • Don't piddle away the afternoon on little errands that can wait.
  • She keeps piddling with the decorations while dinner gets cold.
  • We piddled around all morning and never started packing.

Forms

piddle · piddles · piddled · piddling

piddling adjective — Too small or unimportant to matter.

Similar words

dawdle
Emphasizes moving or working slowly rather than doing trivial things.
fritter
Usually means wasting time or resources in small amounts.