Lateness: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to being late in general, can be used in formal and informal settings.

• Her consistent lateness to work became a problem

Use when referring to being late, often in a negative sense. It is more commonly used in formal situations.

• His frequent tardiness was noted by his supervisor

Use when referring to a postponed event or action, often beyond a person's control. Can be formal or informal.

• The flight was delayed due to bad weather

Use when discussing the quality of being on time. It has a positive connotation and is often used in both personal and professional settings.

• Her punctuality made her a reliable employee

General term for being late in various situations like meetings, school, or work. It does not necessarily imply a repeated behavior.

• Her lateness caused her to miss the bus
• The meeting started late due to John's lateness

Refers to a pattern of being consistently late over a long period. Often used in formal contexts such as workplace or school settings to describe a persistent issue.

• His chronic tardiness started to affect his job performance
• Chronic tardiness can lead to consequences at work

Indicates a habitual pattern of being late, often used to describe someone's consistent late behavior in daily routines. Connotation is usually negative.

• Her habitual lateness became a topic of concern among her friends
• Habitual lateness often shows a lack of time management

Describes frequent and regular postponements or interruptions, generally in project timelines, transportation, or schedules. Can imply a systematic problem.

• The project faced constant delays due to technical issues
• Constant delays in public transport can frustrate commuters

Use this word when you want a general term for being late, usually in personal or minor professional scenarios. It can refer to any situation where someone or something is late.

• His constant lateness got him into trouble at work.
• I apologize for my lateness.

Suitable for more formal or specific contexts, such as travel or event schedules where a precise arrival time has been delayed.

• The flight's delayed arrival caused some passengers to miss their connections.
• The concert's delayed arrival of the main performer annoyed the audience.

This term is more formal and usually refers to habitual lateness, often in professional or educational contexts. It can have a negative connotation.

• His unpunctuality affected his performance review negatively.
• Unpunctuality can give a bad impression in a job interview.

Best used in situations where the delay is significantly longer than expected, often causing frustration or inconvenience.

• The prolonged delay in the project timeline disrupted our entire schedule.
• Due to a technical issue, there was a prolonged delay in the service.