Lateness: meaning, definitions and examples

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lateness

[ˈleɪtnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

being late

The quality or fact of being late or delayed.

Synonyms

delay, punctuality, tardiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lateness	Use when referring to being late in general, can be used in formal and informal settings. Her consistent lateness to work became a problem
tardiness	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
delay	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
punctuality	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

Examples of usage

She was penalized for her lateness to the meeting.
His lateness became a pattern that affected his reputation at work.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

being late as a habit

The habitual characteristic of being late for appointments, events, or deadlines.

Synonyms

chronic tardiness, constant delays, habitual lateness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lateness	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
chronic tardiness	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
habitual lateness	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
constant delays	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

Examples of usage

Despite his intelligence, his lateness was a constant source of frustration for his colleagues.
Her lateness was a reflection of her lack of time management skills.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

quality of being delayed beyond expected time

The state of being delayed beyond the expected or usual time.

Synonyms

delayed arrival, prolonged delay, unpunctuality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lateness	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.
delayed arrival	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.
unpunctuality	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.
prolonged delay	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.

Examples of usage

The lateness of the train caused inconvenience for many passengers.
The lateness of the delivery resulted in dissatisfaction among customers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'late,' which means 'after the expected time.'
Lateness combines 'late' with the suffix '-ness,' which indicates a state or quality.
The concept has been part of the English language since around the 14th century.

Psychology

Research suggests that being late can be linked to a person's personality type, especially those who struggle with time management.
Procrastination can contribute to lateness, where individuals delay starting tasks or heading out.
Some studies indicate that habitual lateness may reflect low self-esteem or fear of social interactions.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, punctuality is highly valued, considered a sign of respect, while in others, being slightly late may be acceptable or even expected.
Different countries have varying norms regarding lateness; for example, in Spain, it's common for social events to start later than scheduled.
A cultural phenomenon termed 'African Time' humorously describes a relaxed approach to timekeeping in various African communities.

Impact on Daily Life

Lateness can affect personal relationships, often causing frustration and misunderstandings among friends and family.
In professional settings, frequent lateness can harm one's career prospects and lead to negative perceptions from colleagues.
Public transportation systems often design schedules that allow for minor delays, acknowledging that lateness can occur.

Literature and Art

In literature, characters who are habitually late can symbolize chaos and disorganization, often creating humorous or dramatic tension.
Classic works often explore themes of time, with lateness representing missed opportunities, as seen in works like 'Alice in Wonderland.'
Artists use the theme of lateness to convey deeper meanings, such as loss and longing, representing a connection to time's passage.

Translations

Translations of the word "lateness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atraso

🇮🇳 देरी (deri)

🇩🇪 Verspätung

🇮🇩 keterlambatan

🇺🇦 запізнення

🇵🇱 spóźnienie

🇯🇵 遅れ (okure)

🇫🇷 retard

🇪🇸 retraso

🇹🇷 gecikme

🇰🇷 지각 (jigak)

🇸🇦 تأخير (ta'khir)

🇨🇿 zpoždění

🇸🇰 oneskorenie

🇨🇳 迟到 (chídào)

🇸🇮 zamuda

🇮🇸 seinkun

🇰🇿 кешігу

🇬🇪 გვიანობა (gvianoba)

🇦🇿 gecikmə

🇲🇽 retraso

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,882, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22879 oversize
22880 protrude
22881 timbre
22882 lateness
22883 pastimes
22884 unpopularity
22885 analogical
...