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delay
[ dih-ley ]
verb (used with object)
The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.
Synonyms: ,
verb (used without object)
He delayed until it was too late.
Synonyms: ,
noun
- the act of delaying; procrastination.
Synonyms:
- an instance of being delayed:
There were many delays during the train trip.
Synonyms: ,
- the period or amount of time during which something is delayed:
The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.
delay
/ ɪˈɪ /
verb
- tr to put off to a later time; defer
- tr to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain
- intr to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate
- intr to linger; dawdle
noun
- the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
- the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude
Derived Forms
- ˈ, noun
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·a· adjective
- ·İ noun
- ·iԲ· adverb
- d· noun verb
- un·a· adjective
- ܲd·iԲ adjective
- un·iԲ· adverb
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of delay1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of delay1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
But Japanese video gaming company Nintendo announced on Friday that it is delaying pre-orders of its Switch 2 console, saying it needs to "assess the potential impact of tariffs."
Elsewhere, striking bin workers, who are members of Unite the Union, claimed they were "threatened" with arrest and fines if they continued to delay bin lorries leaving a depot in Tyseley.
California officials note that the state has tens of millions of voters, and say delays are due to its diligence in making sure that every valid ballot counts.
Atlanta prosecutors on Wednesday filed a motion requesting a judge revoke the “Pushin P” artist’s probation and remand him into custody “without delay.”
This could lead to dangerous delays in forecasting extreme weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes, in addition to hampering climate research.
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Related 51Թs
More About Delay
What doesdelay mean?
As a verb, delay means to put something off or postpone it until later, or to cause something to take longer or to be late.
As a noun, delay means an instance of something being postponed till later, or the amount of time between when something was supposed to happen and when it does happen (the lull or interlude).
Example: The convention has not been canceled—it has been delayed until we can find a proper venue.
Where doesdelay come from?
Delay has been used in English since before 1300. It comes from the Old French delaier, which is formed from de-, meaning “off,” and laier, a variant of laissier, meaning “to leave.” This is derived from the Latin laxare, “to loosen,” from laxus, “slack, lax.”
We may hate waiting, but delays are part of our daily life. If there’s a shipping delay, it means the thing we ordered is going to arrive later than expected. If there’s a traffic jam, we’re told to expect major delays, meaning it’s going to take a lot longer than usual to get where we’re going. Rain delays happen when it rains at outdoor sporting events, but that doesn’t always mean that the game gets canceled—it usually just gets delayed until the rain stops. When there’s a snowstorm, schools might open later, after a two-hour delay. These examples all use delay as a noun, but delay as a verb is just as common.
If we delay a meeting, we postpone it until later. If our flight has been delayed, it means the plane is taking longer than scheduled to arrive—probably because it left later than expected or it ran into bad weather. Another meaning of delay as a verb is “to wait” or “to procrastinate.” This sense is seen in advertisements that tell us don’t delay—order now while supplies last!
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to delay?
- delayable (adjective)
- delayingly (adverb)
- delayer (noun)
- predelay (noun, verb)
What are some synonyms for delay?
What are some words that share a root or word element with delay?
What are some words that often get used in discussing delay?
How isdelayused in real life?
Delay is used in all kinds of situations in which things have been postponed or are running behind schedule.
There's a major accident 45 kms north of Red Deer on Highway 2 South. Traffic is barely moving at all. Expect major delays.
— Andrew Grose (@GroseAndrew)
APMEX website
“NOTE: Due to extreme order volumes, please expect a shipping delay of up to 5 business days.”— William Brown (@Brown70William)
YOUR VOTE CAN SWAY
Don’t Delay – Register Today— vote NOW (@voteNOWuwu)
Try usingdelay!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of delay?
A. lag
B. lax
C. lull
D. linger
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