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loaf around

B1 informal intransitive
In simple words

To hang around being lazy and not doing anything important.

Literal meaning: To drift around without purpose, like a loaf of bread left sitting out — 'around' implies aimless movement.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To spend time aimlessly and lazily without doing anything productive.

"Stop loafing around and do something useful with your afternoon."

Usage notes

Interchangeable with 'loaf about'. More common in American English than 'loaf about'. Carries a slightly disapproving tone. The standalone verb 'loaf' is also used this way.

Commonly used with

house apartment all day park town the place

Forms

Base
loaf around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
loafs around
he/she/it
Past simple
loafed around
yesterday
Past participle
loafed around
have + pp
-ing form
loafing around
continuous

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Synonyms

laze around idle around hang around lounge around slouch around bum around

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