tardy
[tahr-dee]
- late; behind time; not on time: How tardy were you today?
- moving or acting slowly; slow; sluggish.
- delaying through reluctance.
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Origin of tardy
1475–85; earlier tardive, tardif < Old French < Vulgar Latin *tardīvus, equivalent to Latin tard(us) slow + -īvus -ive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for tardy on Thesaurus.com1. slack. 3. dilatory.
Antonyms
1. prompt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tardy
Historical Examples
"Tardy obedience is of the house of mutiny," I said sternly.
To Have and To HoldMary Johnston
Tardy recollection that she was altogether too heavy for comfort brought her to her feet.
Marjorie Dean College FreshmanPauline Lester
Tardy is applied to that which is behind the proper or desired time, especially in doing a work or arriving at a place.
English Synonyms and AntonymsJames Champlin Fernald
Tardy restitution given to a long-suffering people; late righting of an ancient wrong!
Vacation days in GreeceRufus B. Richardson
Tardy employees approached their work joyously, not stealthily, as is the normal custom of such miscreants.
The Triumph of Virginia DaleJohn Francis, Jr.
tardy
- occurring later than expectedtardy retribution
- slow in progress, growth, etca tardy reader
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French tardif, from Latin tardus slow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tardy
adj.
late 14c. (implied in tardity), from Old French tardif (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *tardivus, from Latin tardus "slow, sluggish, dull, stupid," of unknown origin. Related: Tardily; tardiness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper