Tardiness: meaning, definitions and examples

Tardiness refers specifically to being late, especially habitually, in contexts such as work, school, or meetings. It often carries a negative connotation because it implies a repeated or careless behavior.

• Her constant tardiness led to a serious discussion with her manager.
• The school has a strict policy against student tardiness.

Lateness is a general term for arriving or happening after the expected time. It is often used in less formal contexts and can describe both occasional and habitual behavior.

• His frequent lateness was starting to annoy his friends.
• The teacher marked her as late because she arrived after the bell.

Delay refers to the act of causing something to happen at a later time than planned. It can be used in various contexts, such as transportation, project deadlines, or personal schedules. Delay doesn't necessarily imply a habitual behavior and can be caused by external factors.

• The flight experienced a two-hour delay due to bad weather.
• There was a delay in the delivery of the package.

Punctuality refers to the habit of being on time. It is often used in a positive context to describe someone who consistently arrives or completes tasks on schedule.

• Punctuality is highly valued in this company.
• His punctuality makes him a reliable team member.