Definitions

tardy

[tahr-dee] / ˈtɑr di /

ADJECTIVE

late

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belated delayed delinquent overdue sluggish

WEAK

backward behindhand dawdling detained dilatory held up hung up in a bind jammed laggard loitering not arrived not done procrastinating slack slow strapped for time too late unpunctual

Antonyms

STRONGEST

early

WEAK

on time prompt punctual ready

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.

She told her teachers that she was still going to be tardy, and besides, she liked the exercise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The latest, if tardy, look at the labor market wasn’t so bad at first glance.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 20, 2025

In October 2013, the inflation and employment reports for the prior month were also tardy by nearly two weeks because of a 16-day government shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

"I'm a little tardy with the paper work," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

“Is this your electronic signature from the tardy log?” she asks me.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Vocabulary lists containing tardy

Orbiting Jupiter

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The Chocolate War

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The Great Gilly Hopkins

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