Delay Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
⏳
delay
de-lay
Definitions
time management
To postpone or put off doing something until a later time. It is often a result of procrastination or external factors.
Synonyms
defer, postpone, procrastinate.
Examples of usage
- I tend to delay my assignments until the last minute.
- The flight was delayed due to bad weather conditions.
transportation
The period of time by which something is late or postponed.
Synonyms
holdup, lateness, postponement.
Examples of usage
- The train arrived with a slight delay.
- There was a delay in the delivery of the package.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “delay”
Delay is a 2-syllable verb and noun (de-lay). It is pronounced /dɪˈɫeɪ/ in American English and /dɪlˈeɪ/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #2,060 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'delay'
The word 'delay' originated from the Old French word 'delai' which means 'lateness, delay'. It has been used in the English language since the 13th century. The concept of delaying or postponing something has been present in human behavior for centuries, as people often struggle with time management and prioritization.