See main entry: delay

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

late arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged:
Sorry I’m late.
The bus was late.
Spring seems to be very late this year.
not on time not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged:
He never hands his homework in on time.
If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
overdue not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned:
Your rent is three weeks overdue.
I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
be behind with something British English, be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do:
I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
be held up to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic:
I was held up by a traffic jam.
be delayed to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport:
The flight was delayed by bad weather.
belated /bɪˈleɪtəd, bɪˈleɪtɪd/ given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do:
a belated birthday card
I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
tardy especially American English formal arriving or happening late:
a habitually tardy person
a tardy decision
be in arrears /əˈrɪəz $ əˈrɪrz/ formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should:
One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲