overdue

/'ouvə'dju:/

Thân thiện

The library book is overdue by two weeks.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Past the expected or scheduled time: Used to describe something that has not arrived, happened, or been completed by the expected or required time.
   • Not paid by the due date: Used to describe a payment, bill, or debt that has not been settled by its scheduled deadline.

Usage and Examples

• Describing something late:
  • The train is 30 minutes overdue. (The train has not arrived by its scheduled time; it is late.)
  • Her library book is overdue. (The book was not returned by the required date.)
• Describing an unpaid payment:
  • The rent payment is now overdue. (The rent was not paid by the due date.)
  • He received a notice for an overdue bill. (He received a notice for a bill that is past its payment deadline.)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative use for something delayed or needed:
  • A reform in the education system is long overdue. (This suggests the reform is something that should have happened a long time ago; it is metaphorically 'late'.)
  • That apology from him is overdue. (The apology is something that should have been given already.)

Variants and Related Words

• Overdue does not have common verb or noun forms. It is primarily used as an adjective.
• Related Concept: Delinquent (adj.): Often used in financial contexts to describe an overdue debt or a person who fails to pay a debt on time. (e.g., a ).

Synonyms

• Late: Not on time. (e.g., a payment).
• Behind schedule: Not completed by the planned time.
• Past due: A common phrase, especially on bills, meaning the payment date has passed.
• Outstanding: Can mean unpaid, though it is less specific about lateness. (e.g., debts).

Antonyms

• On time: Punctual; happening at the scheduled time.
• Early: Before the scheduled time.
• Paid: Settled (for bills/debts).
• Current: Up to date, especially with payments.

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Overdue payment / bill / invoice / rent: A specific payment that is late.
• Overdue library book: A classic example of an item not returned on time.
• Long overdue: An intensifier emphasizing that something is very late or has been needed for a long time.
• Become overdue / fall overdue: Phrases describing the action of becoming late. (e.g., ).

Học thuật

Adjective

1. past due; not paid at the scheduled time
   • an overdue installment
   • a delinquent account

Từ đồng nghĩa

• delinquent