Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Late or delayed in doing something, especially in making payments or meeting obligations: The word describes a state of being tardy, not up to date, or in arrears with expected actions or duties.
   • Backward or lagging in progress or development: It can describe a person, organization, or thing that is not keeping pace with others or with current standards.

2. Adverb:

   • In a late or delayed manner; in arrears: It describes the action of falling behind schedule or failing to meet a deadline.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The tenant was behindhand with the rent. (The tenant had not paid the rent on time.)
  • The company's technology is behindhand compared to its competitors. (The company's technology is outdated or less advanced.)

• Adverb:

  • He fell behindhand with his mortgage payments. (He failed to make his mortgage payments on schedule.)
  • The project has been running behindhand for months. (The project has been delayed for months.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be behindhand in/with something": This is the standard collocation, indicating lateness concerning a specific duty or area.
  • She is never behindhand in offering help. (She is always prompt to offer help.)
  • The administration was behindhand in implementing the new policy. (The administration was slow to implement the new policy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Behind (adj/adv/prep): At the back; later than; less advanced than. (A more common and general term).
• Arrears (n): Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier. (Often used in financial contexts).
• Tardy (adj): Delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time. (More formal, often for people or actions).
• Delinquent (adj): Failing in one's duty or obligation, especially a financial one. (Stronger, often with legal implications).

Synonyms

• In arrears
• Late
• Overdue
• Delayed
• Backward

Antonyms

• Punctual
• Up-to-date
• Advanced
• Ahead of schedule

Related Phrases

• To fall behind: To fail to keep up with a schedule or standard.
  • If you don't study regularly, you will fall behind.
• To be in arrears: To owe money that is due.
  • The account is three months in arrears.

Adjective

1. behind schedule
   • was behindhand with the rent

Adverb

1. in debt
   • he fell behind with his mortgage payments
   • a month behind in the rent
   • a company that has been run behindhand for years
   • in arrears with their utility bills