loitering
The act of standing or waiting around idly or without apparent purpose, especially in a public place.
While simply standing around isn't inherently illegal, 'loitering' often implies a suspicious or undesirable lingering, especially when associated with potential criminal activity or in areas where it's prohibited by ordinance.
Word relationships
- lingering: More neutral; simply staying in a place longer than necessary, without the negative connotation of idleness or suspicion.
- dawdling: Implies wasting time or moving slowly, often when one should be doing something else.
- hurrying: Moving quickly or with urgency.
- proceeding: Moving forward or continuing an action.
Commonly confused with
- waiting: Waiting implies a specific purpose or expectation (e.g., for a bus), whereas loitering suggests a lack of purpose or an undesirable presence.
Word family
- loiter (verb): to stand or wait around idly
- loiterer (noun): a person who loiters
Collocations
- anti-loitering laws
- prohibited loitering
- loitering with intent
Example sentences
- "The security guard approached the group of teenagers, reminding them that loitering was not permitted on private property." Signs in front of the store explicitly prohibited loitering.
- "He was warned about loitering near the school gates after classes had finished." Police often use anti-loitering laws to disperse crowds.
Memory hook
Don't 'LOITER' by the 'LOITER-ing' sign, or you'll be told to 'LOITER' elsewhere. Idle lingerer
When not to use
Don't use 'loitering' to describe someone waiting patiently or legitimately in a public space (e.g., waiting for a bus, meeting a friend) unless their presence is genuinely idle, purposeless, and potentially problematic.
Fun facts
- Anti-loitering laws have sometimes been criticized for disproportionately affecting certain demographic groups or for being used to harass individuals.
- The phrase 'loitering with intent' is a specific legal charge, implying that the person is loitering with the intention of committing a crime.
Related words
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