tardiness
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of tardiness
Explanation
Tardiness is the quality of being late. When people don't show up on time, they're guilty of tardiness. When you're late for something, you're tardy, so tardiness refers to the habit of being late. Because of their tardiness, some people almost never arrive at work, school, or other places when they're expected. Tardiness is very annoying for the people waiting for the tardy person, and too much tardiness at work could get you fired. Tardiness comes from the Latin word tardus, "slow, sluggish, dull, or stupid."
Vocabulary lists containing tardiness
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Losers Club
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Homeless Bird
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Arriving 45 minutes late and apologising for his "tardiness", the American made a bizarre plug for a brand of mouthguard before repeating previous comments about needing to "heal" from personal issues and past losses.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
She was late so often for school that administrators said she might have to repeat some classes and asked for a doctor’s note to explain the tardiness.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
Madonna's alleged tardiness is also the reason for a previous lawsuit filed against the singer in January.
From Salon • May 31, 2024
The judge appeared to be stunned — not by Mr. Harris’s casual tardiness, but rather by the irony of his actions given the charge Mr. Harris was facing.
From New York Times • May 29, 2024
When I walked in the classroom, Ms. Port saw that I had been crying, so she did not fuss at my tardiness.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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.
