belated

American  

[bih-ley-tid] / bɪˈleɪ tɪd /

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 obsolete; old-fashioned; out-of-date.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.

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belated British  

/ bɪˈleɪtɪd /

adjective

1. late or too late

   belated greetings

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• belatedly
  adverb
• belatedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of belated

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

Explanation

Something belated comes after the fact. If you are late to deliver a birthday greeting, then make it a "happy belated birthday" card. Belated Christmas gifts come after December 25. Belated birthday greetings are still sweet, but a belated New Year's Eve party? Sort of pointless. Belated can refer to less effective actions when used in more significant settings — consider "a belated push to secure tax breaks for the working poor" or "a belated apology for indiscretions committed during the senator's scandalous college years."

Related Words

• delayed
• long-delayed
• overdue
• tardy