killing time

VERB

waste time

Synonyms

WEAK

amuse oneself consume time fritter away time have leisure idle away time pass the time sit on one's hands summer while away the time

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

John’s just killing time until the apocalypse arrives.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

Mario Garcia and son-in-law Nivardo De La Torre had been killing time while waiting for their wives, police say.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2023

This means you’re going to need something to listen to while killing time in the terminal.

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2023

One of Seattle’s top penalty killers, Tanev is adept at killing time at the other end of the ice, but has run into bad luck trying to score over there.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2023

You could say that I was just killing time.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers