What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tarry
Example
Don't tarry too long, or you'll miss the bus. [tarry: verb]
Example
We made a tarry at the rest stop to stretch our legs. [tarry: noun]
loiter
Example
The security guard asked the teenagers to stop loitering outside the store. [loitering: gerund or present participle]
Example
We can't loiter here all day; we have to get going. [loiter: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loiter is more commonly used than tarry in everyday language, especially in legal or security contexts. Tarry is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tarry and loiter?
Tarry is more formal than loiter and is often used in written or literary contexts. Loiter is more informal and is typically used in spoken or casual language.
