adjective
-
occurring later than expected
tardy retribution
-
slow in progress, growth, etc
a tardy reader
Other Word Forms
- tardily adverb
- tardiness noun
Etymology
Origin of tardy
First recorded in 1475–85; earlier tardive, tardif, from Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin tardīvus, equivalent to Latin tard(us) “slow” + -īvus adjective suffix; -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She told her teachers that she was still going to be tardy, and besides, she liked the exercise.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
The latest, if tardy, look at the labor market wasn’t so bad at first glance.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 20, 2025
Morrissey asserted that the tardy disclosure of the Teske rounds did not hamper Baldwin’s defense because his attorneys apparently knew about the ammunition before the trial.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2024
Locals, slightly tardy, rush down the platform to welcome their guests with garlands.
From BBC • May 17, 2024
She answers after half a ring, but it’s only a telemarketer, some poor soul on weekend duty, asking reluctantly if a Mrs., um— “Ganguli,” Ashima replies tardy before hanging up.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
