delay

/di'lei/

Friendly

Explanation of "Delay"

Definition: "Delay" can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of putting something off until a later time. As a verb, it means to make something happen later than planned or to slow down an action.

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal contexts, "delay" can refer to legal or procedural postponements, such as a "court delay" where a legal case is postponed.

Different Meanings:

• Delay in Time: Refers specifically to postponing events (e.g., "The project is experiencing delays").
• Delay in Action: Can refer to slowing down a process or decision (e.g., "Please do not delay in making your choice").

Synonyms:

• Postpone
• Hold up
• Procrastinate
• Stall
• Suspend

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Delay of game": A term used in sports when a team takes too long to start play.
• "Delay tactics": Strategies used to postpone a decision or action.
• "Hold off": A phrasal verb meaning to delay or postpone something.
  • Example: "Let’s hold off on making a decision until next week."

Summary:

Understanding the word "delay" can help you communicate about situations where something is postponed or slowed down. Whether you're discussing a delayed project, a postponed meeting, or the importance of not delaying important decisions, this word is useful in many contexts.

Academic

Noun

1. the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
2. time during which some action is awaited
   • instant replay caused too long a delay
   • he ordered a hold in the action

Verb

1. slow the growth or development of
   • The brain damage will retard the child's language development
2. stop or halt
   • Please stay the bloodshed!
3. act later than planned, scheduled, or required
   • Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered
4. cause to be slowed down or delayed
   • Traffic was delayed by the bad weather
   • she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform

Synonyms

• holdup
• hold
• time lag
• postponement
• wait
• check
• retard
• stay
• detain
• hold up