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
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The Losers Club
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Homeless Bird
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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.
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
Others riffed on her well-known history of tardiness.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025
Madonna's alleged tardiness is also the reason for a previous lawsuit filed against the singer in January.
From Salon • May 31, 2024
They corrected each others work and policed their ranks like soldiers against tardiness, sloppy appearance, and the perception of loose morals.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
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.
