belated

[bih-ley-tid]

adjective

1. coming or being after the customary, useful, or expected time.

   belated birthday greetings.

2. late, delayed, or detained.

   We started the meeting without the belated representative.

3. Archaic.,  obsolete; old-fashioned; out-of-date.

   a belated view of world politics.

4. Archaic.,  overtaken by darkness or night.

belated

/ bɪˈleɪtɪd /

adjective

1. late or too late

   belated greetings

Other Word Forms

• belatedly adverb
• belatedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of belated¹

First recorded in 1610–20; belate “to delay” ( be- + late ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Twenty years later, DelGado is helping create that same belated celebration for others who never had a quinceañera of their own.

From Los Angeles Times

The puppet scenes, bestowing a belated yet supremely deserved spotlight on Abuela Julia, are the most original and haunting aspect of a production that too often flails for effects.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a shame it wasn’t more widely seen, though that now opens the door for a belated discovery.

From Los Angeles Times

World Rugby's head injury assessment process also allows for players who show belated symptoms.

From BBC

The US's belated intervention made a big difference, but many other players pitched in.

From BBC

Related Words

• delayed 
• long-delayed www.thesaurus.com
• overdue 
• tardy