lag

delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

• • we cannot delay any longer

procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

• • procrastinates about making decisions

lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

• • lagging behind in technology

loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

• • loitered at several store windows
• • children dawdling on their way home from school

dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

• • stop dallying and get to work