tardy

[ tahr-dee ]

adjective

, tar·di·er, tar·di·est.

1. late; behind time; not on time:

   How tardy were you today?

   Synonyms: slack

   Antonyms: punctual, prompt

2. moving or acting slowly; slow; sluggish.
3. delaying through reluctance.

   Synonyms: dilatory

tardy

/ ˈtɑːdɪ /

adjective

1. occurring later than expected

   tardy retribution

2. slow in progress, growth, etc

   a tardy reader

Derived Forms

• ˈtardiness, noun
• ˈtardily, adverb

Other Words From

• tar·di·ly adverb
• tar·di·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tardy¹

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier tardive, tardif, from Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin tardīvus, equivalent to Latin tard(us) “slow” + -īvus adjective suffix; -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of tardy¹

C15: from Old French tardif, from Latin tardus slow

Example Sentences

Many teachers deduct points from students who are tardy turning in projects.

From Voice of San Diego

Ireland opens GDPR investigation into Facebook leakFacebook’s tardy disclosure of breach timing raises GDPR compliance questionsAnswers being sought from Facebook over latest data breach

From TechCrunch

Doctor Tardy and several others rushed on the tall Negro, who was soon, by the united efforts of several, thrown down and secured.

From Project Gutenberg

Tardy and insufficient amends, which reveal the weakness of authority, as well as the resistance with which it was opposed!

From Project Gutenberg

The Misses Tardy, Mrs. Dobbin, and the little girls, the performers.

From Project Gutenberg

Tardy I might be, but it was hardly conceivable that my presence aboard the rocket could have averted the catastrophe.

From Project Gutenberg

And who is Sir Tardy Knight that hither comes with masked face?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• belated
• delayed
• delinquent
• overdue
• sluggish