loiter about

USAGE SUMMARY

"loiter about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of lingering in an area without purpose or intention. For example, "I saw some teenagers loitering about the alley behind the grocery store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Joking aside, he didn't care to loiter about, smelling the flowers, while the girl wrote down his wife's American Express number.

The New Yorker

I have just returned from staying a fortnight at a water-cure establishment, where I bathe thrice a day and loiter about all day long doing nothing, and for the time it does me wonderful good".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of the eight footballers to have asteroids named after them, 10634_Pepibican, so-named after the Czech-Austrian striker Josef Pepii" Bican and loitering about in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, is the largest with a radius of, erm, 20km.

The Guardian - Sport

The landscape a few blocks east seemed to bear out her fears: Colonial-style houses sealed with plywood, uncollected trash, knots of young men loitering about and a collection of go-go bars.

The New York Times

The bass player from Hard-Fi was loitering about as well.

Vice

People loitering about are told to get indoors: "Wat maak jy nog so laat buite?" ("What are you doing out so late?") and the entire process is one of search and seizure based on intelligence gathered throughout the week.

Vice

"Satellite males," males without females, loitered about the periphery, trying to sneak a tryst while other suitors challenged the bull.

The New York Times - Travel

Chauncey's having a little lunch, reading the paper, and shining on the queens who are loitering about, thinking they stand a chance.

The New Yorker

Fazlullah's lieutenants — some of them Uzbek fighters, all of them wearing black turbans and vests strapped with ammunition clips and walkie-talkies — loitered about.

The New Yorker

1.38pm BST Weather update from Nasser Hussain: the groundsmen are loitering about looking concerned, with a chance of rain later on – and thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow.

The Guardian - Sport

It's loitering about half a metre from me (the Germans tell me later that I practically landed on it as I jumped in).

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loiter about" to describe situations where someone is lingering without a clear purpose, often in a public space. This phrase carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting idleness or potential mischief.

Common error

While "loiter about" is acceptable, it's less formal than alternatives like "linger" or "remain". In professional or academic writing, consider using a more neutral term to avoid implying idleness or negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loiter about" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "loiter" with the adverb "about" to describe the act of lingering or remaining in an area without a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loiter about" functions as a phrasal verb, denoting aimless lingering. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. While grammatically sound and frequently appearing in news and media sources, as revealed by Ludwig's examples, it's generally considered informal and may not suit formal or professional writing. Alternatives like "linger" or "remain" may be more appropriate in such contexts. The phrase is used to describe situations where someone is lingering without a clear purpose, often in a public space. The expert rating confirms its proper usage and source authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hang around

This alternative suggests a casual and often aimless waiting or staying in a place.

linger

This word conveys a more subtle sense of staying longer than necessary, often due to a pleasant feeling or reluctance to leave.

wait around

This phrase emphasizes the act of waiting in a particular place, often without a specific purpose.

dawdle

This option implies moving or acting slowly and aimlessly, often wasting time.

idle

This term refers to being inactive or doing nothing, often while waiting or passing time.

mill around

This suggests moving about randomly in a group, often without a clear direction or purpose.

lounge around

This alternative implies relaxing and spending time in a comfortable or leisurely manner.

tarry

This word suggests delaying or lingering, often with a sense of hesitation or reluctance.

saunter

This indicates walking in a slow, relaxed manner, often for pleasure or without a specific destination.

mosey along

This phrase suggests moving slowly and casually, often without a sense of urgency or purpose.

FAQs

What does "loiter about" mean?

"Loiter about" means to linger or stand around without any clear purpose or reason. It often implies spending time idly in a public place.

What are some synonyms for "loiter about"?

Some synonyms for "loiter about" include "hang around", "linger", "wait around", and "dawdle".

Is "loiter about" considered formal or informal language?

"Loiter about" is generally considered informal language. More formal alternatives include "linger" or "remain".

How can I use "loiter about" in a sentence?

You can use "loiter about" in a sentence like: "The teenagers were "loitering about" the entrance of the mall."