WordGarden.ioprocrastinate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /prəkrˈɑːstɪnˌeɪt/
US
- /prəˈkræstəˌneɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to delay doing something that should be done
Beyond the definition
Ever have something important to do, but find yourself suddenly very interested in cleaning your room or reorganizing your sock drawer? That's what this word is about. To procrastinate means to keep putting off something you need to do, often by doing something less important instead. It's like telling yourself, "I'll do it later," even though you know "later" might turn into never.
It isn't always about laziness; it can also come from anxiety or from feeling overwhelmed. A student might procrastinate on writing an essay because they're afraid of getting a bad grade, or someone might put off making a difficult phone call. Everyone does this sometimes, but doing it too often can lead to stress and missed chances. Think of the tortoise and the hare: sometimes slow and steady wins because you did not let yourself get distracted or delayed.
To procrastinate is to voluntarily delay or postpone something despite knowing it should be done now. It's more than just being busy with other things; procrastination involves a conscious decision to put off a task, often replaced by activities that are easier, more enjoyable, or simply less daunting.
The root of the word comes from the Latin procrastinare, meaning "to postpone until tomorrow." While it's common to procrastinate on tasks we dislike—like doing taxes or cleaning out the garage—people also procrastinate on things they want to do if they feel overwhelmed by the scope of the project. For example, an aspiring writer might procrastinate starting a novel because the idea feels too big and intimidating.
Procrastination isn't necessarily laziness. It can be a coping mechanism for dealing with fear of failure, perfectionism, or difficulty making decisions. However, consistent procrastination can lead to increased stress, anxiety, guilt, and ultimately, poorer performance.
You might say: "She tends to procrastinate on important tasks until the very last minute," or "He's been procrastinating on fixing the leaky faucet for weeks." It's a very human habit, but one that often requires conscious effort to overcome. So, next time you find yourself scrolling through social media when you should be working, remember you are procrastinating and maybe it's time to tackle that task!
Examples
- 1
Writing task
I always procrastinate when I have to write a long report.
- 2
Health task
Stop procrastinating and call the dentist.
- 3
Exam preparation
She procrastinated until the night before the exam.
- 4
Decisions
He tends to procrastinate on big decisions.
- Patternprocrastinate on + task/decision
delay dealing with it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Uncomfortable news
They procrastinated about telling their landlord, and the problem got worse.
- Patternprocrastinate about + difficult action
delay because you feel unsure or uncomfortable
- 6
Avoidance activity
I procrastinated by cleaning my desk instead of starting the project.
- Patternprocrastinate by doing X
avoid the real task by doing another activity
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- act promptly
- prioritize
Used with (collocations)
- procrastinate on a task
- stop procrastinating
- procrastinate until the last minute
Word family
Explore
- avoidance
- time management
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- procrastinateverb
Forms
- procrastinating-ing formverb
- procrastinatedpast tenseverb
- procrastinatesverb