Tardy

/ˈtɑːr.di/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late.
She was tardy to the meeting due to heavy traffic.
Occurring or done later than expected or usual.
His tardy response to the email caused some confusion.
Sluggish in action or performance; slow.
The service was tardy, and we had to wait a long time for our food.

Etymology

Late Middle English: from Latin tardus 'slow, slow-moving'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

tardy for class
arriving late to a class or educational setting.
tardy fee
a financial penalty assessed for being late, usually related to payments.
tardy notice
a written warning issued to someone who is habitually late.

Related Words

dawdle
to waste time in a lazy or aimless way.
procrastinate
to delay or postpone action.

Slang Meanings

fashionably late
She always arrives tardy, claiming it's her style to be fashionably late.
dragging
He was dragging all week, being tardy to every appointment.