Definitions
- Referring to being late for an appointment, meeting, or class. - Describing a person who habitually arrives late or behind schedule. - Talking about a delayed action or response that is overdue or past the expected time.
- Referring to something that is postponed or rescheduled to a later time or date. - Describing a situation where something takes longer than expected to happen or arrive. - Talking about a response or action that is held back or deferred for a period of time.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to something that is not happening or occurring at the expected time.
- 2Both words can be used to describe situations that cause inconvenience or frustration.
- 3Both words can be used as verbs or adjectives.
What is the difference?
- 1Cause: Tardy implies lateness due to someone's fault or negligence, while delayed can be caused by external factors beyond one's control.
- 2Duration: Delayed suggests a longer period of time than tardy, which usually refers to a short delay.
- 3Usage: Tardy is more commonly used to describe people, while delayed is more often used to describe things or events.
- 4Connotation: Tardy has a negative connotation and can imply a lack of respect or responsibility, while delayed is more neutral and can suggest a temporary setback or inconvenience.
- 5Formality: Delayed is more formal than tardy and is often used in professional or technical contexts.
Remember this!
Tardy and delayed are synonyms that both refer to something that is not happening or occurring at the expected time. However, tardy implies lateness due to someone's fault or negligence, while delayed can be caused by external factors beyond one's control. Additionally, tardy is more commonly used to describe people, while delayed is more often used to describe things or events. Delayed is also more formal and neutral in tone than tardy.
