belated

[ bih-ley-tid ]

adjective

1. coming or being after the customary, useful, or expected time:

   belated birthday greetings.

2. late, delayed, or detained:

   We started the meeting without the belated representative.

3. Archaic. obsolete; old-fashioned; out-of-date:

   a belated view of world politics.

4. Archaic. overtaken by darkness or night.

belated

/ bɪˈleɪtɪd /

adjective

1. late or too late

   belated greetings

Derived Forms

• beˈlatedness, noun
• beˈlatedly, adverb

Other Words From

• be·lat·ed·ly adverb
• be·lat·ed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of belated¹

First recorded in 1610–20; belate “to delay” ( be- + late ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

But the White House may very well have come to the belated conclusion that unconditionality hasn’t worked in leading to the regional deescalation it ostensibly wants.

From Los Angeles Times

But Gay’s was belated; she focused on her “emotional glow-up” first.

From Los Angeles Times

The letter is a belated attempt to redress the balance.

From BBC

He said the parents would now want to know how their children were able to come to harm, rather than receive "belated apologies".

From BBC

The zoo confirmed its new star attraction would get a belated first birthday party on 12 October, featuring a hunt for her pictures around the site.

From BBC

Related Words

• delayed
• long-delayed
• overdue
• tardy