belatedly

American  

[bih-ley-tid-lee] / bɪˈleɪ tɪd li /

adverb

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

   If a law shouldn't have been passed in the first place, it's no crime to belatedly reverse it.

   I received your letter last month, and I wanted to thank you, even if belatedly.

---

Etymology

Origin of belatedly

belated ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Japan is no exception and efforts are belatedly being made to tackle the problem, from dedicated lawyers to teams monitoring social media for offensive posts.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

L.A. officials have long expressed concern that Trump and Congress might belatedly yank away $1 billion already set aside to reimburse state and local governments for security, planning and other Olympics-related costs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"No one should be fooled into thinking that this fraud appeal belatedly succeeding suggests the Hong Kong system operates fairly or justly," she told the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

The idea of history being celebrated and preserved courses through “Once Upon a Time in Harlem,” a conversational documentary belatedly assembled from a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance giants at Duke Ellington’s apartment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

Kevin and I should have made a splint for that leg, I thought belatedly.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Related Words

• slowly