What does procrastination mean?
Procrastination is the act of putting off an intended action, especially when it could be completed now. It commonly refers to a repeated pattern rather than a single unavoidable delay and may involve the avoidance of difficult, boring, or anxiety-provoking tasks. The word can carry a mildly critical connotation, suggesting a failure of self-discipline, although it is also used neutrally when discussing a particular postponed task. Procrastination may lead to increased pressure, rushed work, missed deadlines, and added stress, but the effects vary according to the person and the activity. It is especially common in discussions of time management, academic work, and personal productivity. Understanding the term can help distinguish purposeful planning or genuine constraints from avoidable delay and procrastination.
nounThe act of delaying something, especially a task or action that should be done, often longer than necessary. It can also refer more broadly to the habit or tendency to postpone intended actions.
- The act or habit of postponing an intended action, especially when it could be done now.
- A period or instance of unnecessary delay in carrying out a task or decision.
"Her procrastination turned a simple report into an all-night effort."
"He overcame his procrastination by starting the assignment with a short, manageable task."
"Chronic procrastination can make a large project feel overwhelming and difficult to begin."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon in ordinary usage; writers usually use the singular form or a related expression such as “repeated delays.”
"Frequent procrastinations made the final week especially stressful."
The word comes from a Latin promise about tomorrow: procrastinating was, literally, postponing something until the next day.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does procrastination come from?
The word comes from Latin procrastinare, meaning “to postpone until tomorrow,” formed from pro- and crastinus, an adjective related to tomorrow. English borrowed the term in the early 16th century through French and related forms. Modern derivatives include procrastinate, procrastinator, and procrastinatory, all of which preserve the same sense of putting something off until later.
Related word forms
How procrastination is actually used
The word is common in everyday and professional contexts. It is often used when the delay is avoidable and may suggest self-indulgence, lack of discipline, or anxiety about the task; it is less suitable for describing unavoidable postponement.
Easily confused with procrastination
A delay may be necessary or unavoidable, whereas procrastination usually implies postponing an action unnecessarily or habitually.
Laziness is a broader unwillingness to work or exert effort, while procrastination specifically involves postponing intended tasks.