Definition

1. Adjective:
   • After the expected or usual time; delayed: Describes something or someone that arrives, happens, or is done later than the scheduled, expected, or proper time.
   • Slow to act, move, or respond; dilatory: Describes a characteristic of being habitually slow or sluggish.

Usage

The word "tardy" is used to describe lateness, most commonly in formal or institutional contexts like schools or workplaces. It often implies a negative judgment or consequence for the delay. It can describe a single delayed event or a habitual tendency.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Students who are tardy to class will receive a detention.
  • Her tardy arrival caused the meeting to start late.
  • He was fired for being chronically tardy to work.
  • The tardy response from the authorities frustrated the citizens.

Advanced Usage

• "To be tardy in (doing something)": To be late or slow in performing a specific action.
  • The company has been tardy in addressing customer complaints.
• "Tardy to the party": An idiomatic expression meaning late to participate in or understand a trend, idea, or opportunity.
  • He invested in cryptocurrency years ago, so he wasn't tardy to the party.

Variants and Related Words

• Tardiness (n): The quality or fact of being late.
  • His frequent tardiness was noted in his performance review.
• Tardily (adv): In a late or slow manner. (This form is rare in modern usage).
  • The invoice was paid tardily.

Synonyms

• Late: Occurring or arriving after the expected time.
• Delayed: Made to be later than planned.
• Behindhand: Late, especially in settling a debt or completing work.
• Overdue: Not having arrived, happened, or been done by the expected time.
• Dilatory: Intended to cause delay; slow to act.

Antonyms

• Punctual: Happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time.
• Early: Happening or done before the usual or expected time.
• Prompt: Done without delay; immediate.

Related Idioms

• Better late than never: It is better for something to happen or arrive late than for it not to happen at all. (This idiom is related to the concept of lateness but does not contain the word "tardy").

Adjective

1. after the expected or usual time; delayed
   • a belated birthday card
   • I'm late for the plane
   • the train is late
   • tardy children are sent to the principal
   • always tardy in making dental appointments