loiter
Medium (C1)Neutral to formal. Common in legal, police, and official contexts; can be used descriptively in everyday language, often with a negative connotation.
Definition
Meaning
To stand or wait around somewhere, typically in a public place, without an obvious purpose, and often in a way that causes annoyance or suspicion.
To proceed slowly, with frequent stops; to delay or linger over a task; to remain in an area for an indeterminate time without clear intent, sometimes with connotations of idleness or potential mischief.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb strongly implies purposelessness and often carries a hint of disapproval, suspicion, or potential threat. It is frequently used in the context of laws (e.g., 'no loitering' signs) and police instructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Loitering' as a legal offence is common in both. The term 'hang around' is a more casual synonym used in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of idleness and potential trouble.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the commonality of 'no loitering' signs and ordinances.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to loiter (somewhere)to loiter around/about (a place)to loiter with intent (legal)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Loiter with intent (a legal charge implying planning a crime)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used in security briefings: 'Unauthorized persons loitering near the loading dock should be reported.'
Academic
Rare, except in legal or sociological texts discussing public space regulation.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of suspicious or idle behaviour: 'Some kids were loitering outside the shop.'
Technical
Primarily a legal/ law enforcement term defining a specific minor offence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The group was asked to move on by the police as they were loitering outside the station.
- He tends to loiter about after lessons, chatting.
American English
- Signs clearly state 'No Loitering' in the parking lot.
- They were arrested for loitering with intent to commit a felony.
adverb
British English
- He walked loiteringly through the empty market, in no rush to get home.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- (Rare usage; 'lingeringly' is more common)
adjective
British English
- The loitering youths were causing concern to local residents.
- A loitering suspicion hung over the man in the long coat.
American English
- The officer issued a citation for loitering behavior.
- The store owner is tired of the loitering crowd by his entrance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Do not loiter here. Please go home.
- The security guard told the boys to stop loitering near the cars.
- There is a municipal ordinance that prohibits loitering in public parks after midnight.
- The defendant was initially charged with loitering with intent to commit an arrestable offence, though this was later downgraded.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LOITER' as 'LOYAL to the TERritory' – being too loyal to a spot, refusing to leave it.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (TO WASTE TIME IS TO OCCupy SPACE UNPRODUCTIVELY); PURPOSEFUL MOVEMENT IS A JOURNEY (LOITERING IS AIMLESS WANDERING OFF THE PATH).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'бродить' (to stroll/wander) which is more neutral. 'Loiter' is closer to 'слоняться', 'шататься', or 'торчать (без дела)' with a negative tone. Do not translate as 'ждать' (to wait), which implies purpose.
Common Mistakes
- Using it positively: 'We loitered happily in the park' is unnatural. Using the wrong preposition: 'loiter at the street' (correct: 'loiter on/in the street').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'loiter' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost invariably. It implies idleness, lack of purpose, and often a suspicion of wrongdoing. It is rarely used in a positive or neutral sense.
It is a legal phrase, chiefly British, meaning to loiter with the intention of committing a crime (often a theft or burglary). It is a specific charge.
'Linger' is more neutral and can be positive (e.g., 'lingering over a coffee'), meaning to stay somewhere reluctantly to leave. 'Loiter' is more purposeless and carries a stronger connotation of potential trouble or violation of norms.
No, it is used almost exclusively for people or animals. You would not say 'a smell loitered' (use 'lingered').