Procrastinate Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：put off (procrastinate)

procrastinate 🔊

/prəˈkræstɪneɪt/

To keep delaying tasks you should do, often because you don't feel like doing them now.

Person procrastinating at desk with phone and laptop

put off 🔊

➕

/ˈpʊt ɔːf/

To intentionally delay doing something that should be done, often due to laziness, avoidance, or lack of motivation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'pro-' (forward) + 'crastinus' (of tomorrow); to postpone.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'pro' (forward) + 'crastinate' sounds like 'crust' – imagine saving a pizza crust for tomorrow, always delaying eating it.

📖 Example

Many students procrastinate on their homework by watching videos instead of starting early. 🔊 Many students delay their homework by watching videos rather than beginning promptly.

🔗 Collocations

procrastinate on a task – delay completing a specific assignment

chronic procrastinator – a person who habitually delays things

procrastinate until the last minute – delay until the deadline is imminent

🔄 Synonyms

delay (v.) – to make something happen later than planned

postpone (v.) – to arrange for something to take place at a later time

put off (phrasal v.) – to delay or postpone doing something

🚫 Antonyms

expedite (v.) – to make something happen more quickly

hasten (v.) – to cause something to happen sooner

proceed (v.) – to begin or continue an action without delay

🌱 Derivatives

procrastination (n.) – the act of delaying tasks unnecessarily

procrastinator (n.) – a person who habitually procrastinates

procrastinatory (adj.) – relating to or characterized by procrastination

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'procrastinare' (pro- 'forward' + crastinus 'of tomorrow'), this word entered English in the 16th century. It reflects the universal tendency to delay tasks, a concept explored in ancient philosophy and modern psychology.