behindhand
Americanadverb
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late; tardy.
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behind in progress; backward.
They were never behindhand in following artistic fads.
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in debt or arrears.
adjective
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remiss in fulfilling an obligation
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in debt; in arrears
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delayed in development; backward
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late; behind time
Etymology
Origin of behindhand
First recorded in 1520–30; behind + hand; by analogy with earlier beforehand ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Considering that this Fantaisie' was ordered, and paid for, and eaten more than a year ago, I realize that I am behindhand with it.
From Time Magazine Archive
One Kay, a large, seedy lawyer, who wore shabby black and white stockings, and shoes, was always behindhand with his share of cash.
From Curiosities of Impecuniosity by Somerville, H. G.
I calalate I'd be a trifle behindhand myself.
From The White Crystals Being an Account of the Adventures of Two Boys by Garis, Howard Roger
Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day, amusing herself with the well-beloved cats, at first, and, in time, with doll's sewing, which had fallen sadly behindhand.
From Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Alcott, Louisa May
Did it ever strike you, by the way, how behindhand your countrymen are in the matter of hotels?
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
