Overdue: meaning, definitions and examples

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overdue

[ ˌəʊvəˈdjuː ]

^{Context #1}

payment

Not having been paid when due or expected.

Synonyms

late, outstanding, unpaid

Examples of usage

The library sends reminders to users with overdue books.
She received a notice about her overdue bill.

^{Context #2}

time

Not having reached a time by which it should have happened.

Synonyms

behind schedule, delayed, tardy

Examples of usage

The project was overdue by several weeks.
The train was overdue by an hour.

Translations

Translations of the word "overdue" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atrasado

🇮🇳 अधिदेय

🇩🇪 überfällig

🇮🇩 terlambat

🇺🇦 прострочений

🇵🇱 zaległy

🇯🇵 期限切れ

🇫🇷 en retard

🇪🇸 atrasado

🇹🇷 gecikmiş

🇰🇷 연체된

🇸🇦 متأخر

🇨🇿 opožděný

🇸🇰 oneskorený

🇨🇳 逾期

🇸🇮 zapadel

🇮🇸 seint

🇰🇿 кешіктірілген

🇬🇪 გვიანი

🇦🇿 gecikmiş

🇲🇽 atrasado

Word origin

The term 'overdue' originated in the late 18th century, combining 'over-' meaning 'beyond' or 'excessively' with 'due' meaning 'owed at a certain time'. It first appeared in English legal jargon to refer to payments or debts that had not been settled by the stipulated time. Over time, the word expanded its usage to cover various contexts where something is late or past its expected time of occurrence.

See also: due, duty, subdue, undue, unduly.