loll
C1Informal, descriptive
Definition
Meaning
To hang or lie in a relaxed, lazy, or ungainly way.
To sit, stand, or recline in a relaxed, indolent, or drooping posture; also, to let (something) hang loosely, especially the tongue.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb carries connotations of laziness, relaxation, and lack of energy or proper posture. Often implies a comfortable, deliberate, or careless pose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The phrase 'loll about/around' may be slightly more frequent in UK English.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties: mild disapproval for laziness, or neutral/positive for relaxation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but the word is understood. Possibly slightly more literary in modern American use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + loll + adverbial phrase (e.g., in/on/against)[Subject] + loll + around/about[Subject] + loll + object (tongue) + outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “loll about/around”
- “loll one's tongue out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; might appear in literary or descriptive social analysis.
Everyday
Used in informal description of relaxed or lazy posture.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spent the bank holiday lolling about in the garden.
- The dog lolled its tongue out in the heat.
American English
- She just lolled around on the couch all weekend.
- His head lolled back against the headrest.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'lollingly' is extremely rare and non-standard) The cat lay lollingly on the rug.
American English
- (Not standard; 'lollingly' is extremely rare and non-standard) He sat lollingly in his seat.
adjective
British English
- (Lolling is the participle used adjectivally) She saw his lolling head and knew he was asleep.
- The lolling crowd on the beach.
American English
- (Lolling is the participle used adjectivally) The puppy's lolling tongue was adorable.
- A lolling, lazy summer afternoon.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat lolls in the sunny spot.
- On hot days, our dog's tongue lolls out.
- He lolled against the wall, watching the world go by.
- Don't just loll about; we have work to do!
- The aristocrat lolled indolently in his chaise longue, a picture of decadent ease.
- Exhausted, she let her arms loll by her sides.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a relaxed dog with its tongue LOLLing out – both the dog and the word are lazy.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAZINESS IS A PHYSICAL DROOPING / RELAXATION IS A LIQUID STATE (flowing into a chair).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not related to 'лол' (internet 'lol').
- Avoid translating as 'лежать' (neutral 'to lie'); it specifically implies a lazy, limp posture.
- Can be confused with 'lull' (to soothe).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He lolled the book on the table.' (Requires a reflexive or intransitive use) Correct: 'He lolled in the chair.' or 'His tongue lolled out.'
- Misspelling as 'lol'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'loll' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal and descriptive, often used in spoken language or informal writing.
Rarely. It is mostly used for living beings (people, animals) and their body parts (head, tongue, arms). An object might 'loll' only in very figurative, personifying language.
Both imply a relaxed posture. 'Sprawl' suggests limbs spread out awkwardly or widely, occupying space. 'Loll' suggests a more general limp, drooping, or lounging posture, often seated or reclining, not necessarily with limbs spread.
Not always. It can be negative when criticizing laziness ('Stop lolling about!'), but it can be neutral or positive when describing comfortable relaxation ('lolling by the pool').