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Synonyms

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.
overdue British  
/ ˌəʊvəˈdjuː /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overdueness noun

Etymology

Origin of overdue

First recorded in 1835–45; over- + due

Explanation

Something that's overdue should have happened or been dealt with a long time ago, like the long overdue recognition for the people who rescued motorists in last winter's big snowstorm. Overdue literally means "past the due date." Bills that aren't paid on time are overdue. So are library books not returned or renewed by the date specified by the library. However, some things that are overdue don't have a particular date associated with them. Instead, it is up to subjective perception: if it seems "too long" then something may be considered overdue, like an overdue visit from a friend or a positive change that's overdue.

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Vocabulary lists containing overdue

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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.

The Oscar-nominated actor might even be overdue for hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the first time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The overdue federal ban on BVO underscores a larger shift: in the absence of swift federal action, states are increasingly driving food safety policy in the U.S.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

“JANA Partners took a stake in October 2024 and is a key agent for change. We think Lamb Weston is long overdue for a shake-up at the board level and other potential management changes.”

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

And by now, picking up a green jacket at Augusta National seems long overdue: He’s been the runner up three times and holds the Masters record for leads after the first round.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Just then I remembered papers that were overdue; I had missed a lot of classes.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

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.