tardiness

American  

[tahr-dee-nis] / ˈtɑr di nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being later than the usual or proper time, or an instance of this; lateness.

   Please forgive my tardiness in communicating with everyone once again.

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Etymology

Origin of tardiness

tardy ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

Tardiness is the quality of being late. When people don't show up on time, they're guilty of tardiness. When you're late for something, you're tardy, so tardiness refers to the habit of being late. Because of their tardiness, some people almost never arrive at work, school, or other places when they're expected. Tardiness is very annoying for the people waiting for the tardy person, and too much tardiness at work could get you fired. Tardiness comes from the Latin word tardus, "slow, sluggish, dull, or stupid."

Example Sentences

Tardiness and scheming seem more apt terms now.

From Economist • Jul. 27, 2017

Tardiness or skipping out wasn’t tolerated, and Ewing never let up on Mutombo as they ran, lifted weights and worked on their low-post games.

From Washington Post • Feb. 5, 2015

Tardiness on any level was strongly condemned by Dave, the father of Kane.

From The Guardian • Oct. 23, 2010

Tardiness, they argued, was occasionally unavoidable, long waiting in the lobby an undeserved penance.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tardiness was not acceptable for a girl who was supposed to be without flaws.

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau