Tardynot on time; delayed beyond the expected moment usually means happening or arriving later than expectedbelieved to be likely or scheduled to occur. It is a formalused in serious or official situations rather than casual speech way to say someone or something is late.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈtɑrdi/
Easy pronunciation: TAR-dee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Tardy Meaning
late or not on time
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: after the expected or usual time; delayed
Example: Tardy students may have to report to the office.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- late — The closest everyday synonym when someone arrives or acts later than expected.
- belated — Works well when something happens later than it should, but it is a little more formal and less common in everyday speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Tardy Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- late
- belated
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Tardy is often used about people, but it can also describe actions, replies, payments, or arrivals that happen too late.
- Do not confuse tardy with 'tart' or 'tardy' as a name; the word means late or delayed.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tardy mean in simple English?
It means late or delayed, especially when something happens after the expected time.
What are the best synonyms for tardy?
Late is the best everyday synonym. Belated is also a good synonym in some contexts, especially in more formal writing.
Is tardy formal?
Yes, it is a fairly formal or school-like word, though it is still common enough in everyday writing and speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
