tardy
pronunciation
How to pronounce tardy in British English:
UK [ˈtɑːdi]
How to pronounce tardy in American English:
US [ˈtɑːrdi]
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- Adjective:
- after the expected or usual time; delayed
Word Origin
- tardy
- tardy: see bustard
- tardy (adj.)
- 1520s, "slow," from Old French tardif "slow, late" (12c.), also the name of the snail character in the Roman de Renart, from Vulgar Latin *tardivus, from Latin tardus "slow, sluggish; late; dull, stupid," of unknown origin. Meaning "late" in English is from 1660s. This word, not much used in English prose, is constantly employed in the U.S. and in Canada with reference to lateness in school-attendance. [Thornton, "American Glossary," 1912] Related: Tardily; tardiness. Earlier form of the word in English was tardif, tardyve (late 15c.). Tardity "slowness of movement or action" is recorded in English from early 15c., from Old French tardete, from Latin tarditas.
Example
- 1. And they were tardy in entering emerging markets .
- 2. Nonetheless , her government 's response has been criticised as tardy and ineffective .
- 3. Such tardy and substantial changes to the basic picture of the downturn have left many perplexed .
- 4. True , central banks have been raising interest rates , but they have tended to be tardy .
- 5. But it might make more sense for you to shift to the tardy one .