loafing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loafing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of spending time idly or lazily, often without any specific purpose. Example: "After a long week of work, I spent the weekend loafing around the house, enjoying some much-needed relaxation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just think - two hours of loafing, home in time for Newsnight, and a pay cheque at the end of the week.

The Guardian

Besides the joys of loafing about, you can also swim with dolphins, which was a real treat.

The Guardian - Travel

"IT'S always my turn," Maci, a tired young mother, complains to her loafing boyfriend when their baby needs a nappy-change, during an episode of "16 and Pregnant", a reality TV show about teenagers with tots.

The Economist

The animals sing on their way to and from their breeding-grounds, and while they are loafing around there, but nobody is quite sure whether they do it to win the hearts of females or to warn off other males.

The Economist

If the goal is to complete a certain task, then more conscientious members of the team can step in and do the work; but if the goal is to ensure that each individual learns by doing, a loafing student has thwarted the teacher's aim regardless of other students' diligence.

The Economist

Shanghai is vividly drawn, crackling with energy and a scintillating cast includes corrupt property speculators, shady party officials and the city's new rich loafing around in Starbucks.

The Economist

You also get "social loafing" where you think everyone else will do the job.What about the group turning a blind eye, as with the BBC and Jimmy Saville This is a problem of bigger, modern organisations.

The Economist

BARACK OBAMA, as many an indignant talk-show host is eager to remind his audience, is loafing by the seaside in the millionaires' playground of Martha's Vineyard.

The Economist

Thirty-five percent of the bandwidth at headquarters was routinely used for such loafing off.

The Economist

Yet an indignant campaign called "We are the 53%" has sprung up online, to complain about the loafing remainder.

The Economist

No loafing for his sons.In this section Bringers of sorrow Fathers and sons Land of hope and glory Delivery man Works of Glass Chefs' specials ReprintsShortly after the father's bosses at the Central Bank of Nigeria send him to take on a job in another town, though, the boys begin to go astray.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loafing" to describe a relaxed and idle state, especially when emphasizing lack of productivity or purpose. For example, "After finals, the students were loafing around campus."

Common error

Avoid using "loafing" in formal contexts where a more neutral term like "resting" or "taking a break" would be more appropriate, as "loafing" often carries a negative connotation of laziness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loafing" is as a verb in its present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "He is loafing") or as a gerund, functioning as a noun (e.g., "Loafing is his favorite pastime"). Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "loafing" is commonly used to describe the act of spending time idly or lazily. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct. Its usage is widespread in news and media, though it's considered neutral and may carry a slightly negative connotation. Related phrases include "idling", "lounging", and "slacking", each offering nuanced differences. When writing, it's best to use "loafing" to depict a relaxed, unproductive state, while avoiding it in formal contexts where a more neutral term is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idling

Similar meaning, but often implies a temporary pause in activity rather than sustained inactivity.

lazing around

Implies relaxing in a lazy or idle manner.

taking it easy

Suggests relaxing and avoiding strenuous activity or stress.

lounging

Suggests relaxing in a comfortable position, implying leisure.

chilling out

Informal term for relaxing and unwinding.

bumming around

Informal term for spending time idly and without purpose.

slacking

Implies neglecting duties or responsibilities, often with a negative connotation.

goofing off

Implies wasting time on frivolous or silly activities.

dawdling

Suggests moving slowly or wasting time, often delaying progress.

shirking

Means avoiding work or duty, implying a deliberate evasion of responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "loafing" in a sentence?

"Loafing" can be used to describe spending time idly. For example, "He spent the afternoon loafing in the park."

What's a less negative alternative to "loafing"?

Depending on the context, you could use "relaxing", "lounging", or "taking it easy" instead of "loafing".

What's the difference between "loafing" and "slacking"?

"Loafing" generally means spending time idly, while "slacking" implies neglecting duties or responsibilities. "Loafing" is not as negative as "slacking", which suggests dereliction of duty.

When is it appropriate to use "loafing"?

It's appropriate to use "loafing" when you want to describe someone spending time idly or lazily, often without a particular purpose, and when the slightly negative connotation is acceptable or intended.