overdue

American  

[oh-ver-doo, -dyoo] / ˌoʊ vərˈdu, -ˈdyu /

adjective

1. past due, as a delayed train or a bill not paid by the assigned date; late.

   two overdue library books.

   Synonyms:

   behindhand, tardy

2. too long awaited; needed or expected for some time.

   Improvements in our highway system are long overdue.

3. more than sufficiently advanced, mature, or ready.

   That country is overdue for industrial development.

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overdue British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈdjuː /

adjective

1. past the time specified, required, or preferred for arrival, occurrence, payment, etc

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Other Word Forms

• overdueness noun

Etymology

Origin of overdue

First recorded in 1835–45; over- + due

Example Sentences

After years of underperformance, he thinks the time for them to push ahead is long overdue.

From MarketWatch

“And I think it’s because they see that we are setting up in the county a different structure of accountability, and that’s long overdue for the region.”

From Los Angeles Times

After years of underperformance, he thinks the time for them to push ahead is long overdue.

From MarketWatch

Katherine Brown, professor of behaviour change in health at the University of Hertfordshire, said the ban was "long overdue and a move in the right direction".

From BBC

He may feel he's overdue a return to the Premier League after winning the event in 2021 and following it up with two semi-final finishes.

From BBC

Related Words

• belated
• delinquent
• outstanding
• tardy
• unpaid