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A1 noun #197 most common 12 min read

delay

Top 197

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips delay in 30 Seconds

Explanation delay in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'delay' is most commonly encountered in the context of travel and simple daily schedules. It is a vital word for beginners to learn because it helps them understand announcements at airports, bus stations, and train platforms. At this stage, learners should focus on the basic meaning: something is happening later than it should. You will often see it on signs or hear it in short sentences like 'There is a delay.' It is usually paired with simple time expressions, such as 'a ten-minute delay' or 'a long delay.' Beginners should practice using it to explain why they are late for a class or a meeting. For example, 'Sorry, the bus had a delay.' It is important to recognize that 'delay' is the thing that makes you late. At A1, we don't worry about complex grammar; we just want to communicate the idea of being behind schedule. You might also see this word on a computer screen if a video is taking a long time to load. Learning this word early helps you navigate the world more easily, especially when you are traveling in an English-speaking country. It is one of the first 'problem' words you will learn—words that help you describe when things aren't going perfectly. Remember, 'delay' is a noun here, so it often comes after 'a' or 'the'. If you see 'Delay' on a flight board, it means your plane is not leaving on time. This is a very practical word for everyday life.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'delay' in slightly more complex sentences and in a wider variety of contexts. Beyond just travel, you might use 'delay' to talk about school assignments, work tasks, or social plans. An A2 learner should be able to describe the cause of a delay using simple prepositions like 'because of' or 'due to.' For example, 'The delay was because of the rain.' You will also start to see the word used in professional emails, such as 'I apologize for the delay in my reply.' This is a very common and useful phrase for polite communication. At this level, you should also be aware of the plural form, 'delays,' which is often used when talking about general problems in a system, like 'There are many delays on the subway today.' You might also start to see 'delay' used with adjectives like 'short,' 'big,' or 'unexpected.' It's important to start distinguishing between 'delay' (the time gap) and 'late' (the state of being after the expected time). You can say 'The train is late' or 'There is a delay on the train.' Both are correct, but 'delay' sounds a bit more formal and specific. A2 learners should also be comfortable hearing this word in longer announcements, such as 'We are sorry for the delay to the 9:00 AM flight to New York.' Practicing these common phrases will help you feel more confident in real-world situations where timing is important.

At the B1 level, learners should be comfortable using 'delay' in a variety of professional and social situations. You will start to see the word used in more idiomatic ways and in more complex grammatical structures. For instance, the phrase 'without delay' becomes important at this level, meaning 'immediately' or 'right away.' A B1 learner might use this in a sentence like, 'Please send the documents without delay.' You will also encounter 'delay' in the context of project management and business. You might talk about a 'delay in production' or a 'delay in the decision-making process.' At this stage, you should be able to use 'delay' as both a noun and a verb, although this section focuses on the noun. You should also be able to quantify delays more precisely, using phrases like 'a delay of approximately three hours.' B1 learners will also notice 'delay' in news reports about economics or politics, such as 'The delay in the peace talks is worrying.' You are expected to understand the nuance that a delay isn't just about being late; it can also be a strategic choice or a systemic failure. You might also hear the word in more technical contexts, like 'audio delay' or 'time delay.' At B1, you should also be able to use synonyms like 'holdup' in casual conversation while sticking to 'delay' in formal writing. This versatility is a key part of reaching the intermediate level of English proficiency.

At the B2 level, the use of 'delay' becomes more nuanced and integrated into sophisticated discourse. Learners should be able to discuss the implications of a delay, not just the fact that it occurred. For example, you might discuss how a 'delay in implementation' affected a company's quarterly profits or how 'unforeseen delays' can derail a scientific experiment. At this level, you should be familiar with more advanced collocations, such as 'undue delay,' 'inevitable delay,' or 'lengthy delay.' You will also encounter the word in legal and official contexts, where 'without undue delay' is a common standard for performance. B2 learners should be able to use 'delay' to describe abstract concepts, such as a 'delay in gratification' (a psychological term) or a 'delay in the onset of a disease.' You should also be able to distinguish 'delay' from similar words like 'setback,' 'hindrance,' or 'postponement' with high accuracy. In writing, you might use 'delay' to create more complex sentence structures, such as 'Despite the initial delay, the project was completed on budget.' You should also be comfortable with the word in the context of technology and media, understanding terms like 'propagation delay' or 'broadcast delay.' At B2, your vocabulary should be rich enough to use 'delay' as a precise tool for describing timing, cause, and effect in both spoken and written English, showing a clear understanding of register and tone.

At the C1 level, 'delay' is used with a high degree of precision and often appears in complex, formal, or academic contexts. A C1 learner understands the subtle connotations of the word and can use it to convey specific shades of meaning. For instance, you might analyze the 'systemic delays' within a bureaucratic organization or the 'tactical delays' used by a negotiator to gain an advantage. You will encounter the word in high-level literature and academic papers, where it might be used metaphorically or to describe complex temporal phenomena. At this level, you should be able to use 'delay' in advanced grammatical constructions, such as 'Such was the delay that the entire operation had to be aborted.' You should also be familiar with the word's role in various specialized fields, from the 'delay-line memory' of early computers to the 'delay of execution' in legal proceedings. C1 learners should also be able to discuss the philosophical or psychological aspects of delay, such as the 'delay of the inevitable' or the 'cultural attitudes toward delay' in different societies. Your use of collocations should be extensive, including phrases like 'mitigate a delay,' 'exacerbate a delay,' or 'attribute the delay to...' You should be able to switch between formal and informal synonyms effortlessly, choosing 'setback,' 'bottleneck,' or 'lag' based on the exact context. At C1, 'delay' is no longer just a word for being late; it is a sophisticated concept used to describe the intricate timing of human and natural systems.

At the C2 level, mastery of the word 'delay' involves an effortless and highly nuanced application across all possible domains. A C2 speaker or writer uses 'delay' with the precision of a native expert, often employing it in rhetorical or highly specialized ways. You might find 'delay' used in a legal brief to argue about 'procedural delays' that violate constitutional rights, or in a scientific paper discussing the 'nanosecond delay' in a particle accelerator. At this level, you understand the word's etymological roots and how they influence its modern usage. You can use 'delay' to create subtle irony or to emphasize a point in a sophisticated narrative. For example, 'The delay, though seemingly minor, was the catalyst for the entire empire's collapse.' You are also fully aware of the word's place in various idioms and fixed expressions, using them naturally in conversation. C2 learners can critique the use of 'delay' in others' writing, identifying when a synonym like 'deferral' or 'moratorium' would be more appropriate. You are comfortable with the word in the most abstract sense, such as the 'delay between perception and action' in cognitive science. Your ability to use 'delay' is characterized by total flexibility, allowing you to describe everything from a simple late bus to the complex temporal dynamics of the universe with equal ease and accuracy. At C2, 'delay' is a versatile instrument in your linguistic orchestra, used to perfectly timing and weight your communication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

delay in 30 Seconds

A delay is a period of time when something is late or happens after the expected time, often due to problems or unforeseen circumstances.
It is commonly used in travel, business, and technology to describe gaps in schedules, project timelines, or data transmission speeds.
The word can be used formally to apologize for lateness or technically to describe the latency in a system or signal.
Understanding 'delay' helps you navigate public transport, manage professional expectations, and describe various types of interruptions in daily life.

The word delay as a noun describes a period of time where something is late or takes longer than originally anticipated. It is a fundamental concept in logistics, communication, and daily planning. When you encounter a delay, the chronological flow of an event is interrupted, pushing the completion or arrival time further into the future. This term is ubiquitous in travel environments, such as airports and train stations, where technical issues or weather conditions often prevent on-time departures. Beyond physical travel, a delay can occur in the processing of information, the delivery of a service, or the implementation of a decision. It carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation, as it implies a deviation from a desired or promised schedule.

Temporal Gap: A delay represents the specific amount of time lost between the expected start or end and the actual occurrence. For example, a twenty-minute delay means you arrive twenty minutes later than planned.

The heavy snowfall caused a significant delay in the morning commute, leaving thousands of workers stranded at the station.

In professional contexts, delays are often analyzed for their root causes. A project manager might speak of a 'delay in production' caused by a supply chain disruption. In this sense, the word is used to identify a bottleneck or a failure in a system. It is also common in medical or legal settings, where a 'delay in treatment' or a 'delay in justice' can have serious ethical and practical consequences. The word helps speakers quantify and qualify the inefficiency of a process.

Technical Latency: In computing and telecommunications, a delay (often called latency) refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another, which can cause 'lag' in video calls or gaming.

There was a noticeable delay between the reporter's question and the interviewee's response due to the satellite connection.

People also use the word to describe intentional pauses. If a government official speaks of a 'delay in the vote,' they might be doing so strategically to gather more support. Thus, while many delays are accidental (like a flat tire), some are calculated maneuvers. Understanding the context—whether it is an accident of nature or a human choice—is key to interpreting the speaker's intent when they use this word.

We apologize for the delay in responding to your email; our office was closed for the holiday.

Psychological Impact: A delay often causes frustration or anxiety because it disrupts expectations and creates uncertainty about when a goal will be achieved.

The delay in the wedding ceremony made the nervous groom even more anxious.

After a long delay, the results of the medical tests finally arrived, bringing relief to the family.

Using the noun delay correctly involves understanding its typical grammatical partners. It is frequently used with verbs like 'cause,' 'experience,' 'suffer,' 'encounter,' or 'apologize for.' When you want to describe the reason for the lateness, you usually use the preposition 'in' or 'to.' For example, you can have a 'delay in delivery' or a 'delay to the flight.' The noun can be countable (referring to a specific instance) or uncountable (referring to the general concept of lateness).

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like 'expect,' 'avoid,' 'minimize,' and 'announce' are frequently found alongside 'delay' in both business and casual writing.

The airline announced a two-hour delay due to mechanical issues with the aircraft's engine.

In more formal or academic writing, 'delay' often appears in the phrase 'without delay,' which functions as an adverbial phrase meaning 'immediately.' This is a high-level way to express urgency. Conversely, 'after some delay' or 'following a delay' are used to transition between events in a narrative where a gap in time occurred. Adjectives play a crucial role in defining the scope: 'unforeseen delay' suggests something unexpected, while 'systemic delay' suggests a problem built into the process itself.

Prepositional Patterns: Use 'delay in' for activities (delay in starting) and 'delay of' for specific durations (a delay of ten minutes).

There will be a delay of several weeks before the new furniture is ready for shipment.

When discussing technical subjects, 'delay' is often quantified. In electronics, you might read about a 'time delay circuit.' In music production, 'delay' is an effect that repeats a sound after a short interval. In these cases, the word is used as a specific technical term. In everyday speech, however, it remains a versatile tool for managing expectations. If you are running late for a coffee date, you might text: 'Sorry, there's a slight delay on the subway!'

The delay in the construction project was caused by a shortage of skilled laborers in the region.

Quantifying Lateness: Commonly used with time measurements: 'a five-minute delay,' 'a month-long delay,' or 'indefinite delay.'

Because of the delay, we missed our connecting flight and had to stay in a hotel overnight.

The government's delay in passing the new law has frustrated many environmental activists.

The word delay is an essential part of the vocabulary of modern life, particularly in environments where schedules are paramount. One of the most common places to hear it is in public transportation hubs. Automated announcements at train stations frequently broadcast messages like, 'We apologize for the delay to the 10:15 service to London Paddington.' In these settings, the word is used to manage the emotions of large crowds by providing information about why things are not moving as expected.

Travel Announcements: Pilots and flight attendants use the word to explain why a plane is sitting on the tarmac, often citing 'air traffic control delays' or 'weather delays.'

'Ladies and gentlemen, there is a slight delay in our departure due to a minor technical check.'

In the corporate world, 'delay' is a frequent topic in status meetings and project reports. Managers use it to explain why a product launch has been moved or why a budget hasn't been approved. It is a more professional and less accusatory way of saying something is 'late.' For instance, saying 'There has been a delay in the feedback loop' sounds more objective than saying 'You are late giving me feedback.' This makes it a useful word for maintaining professional relationships while still addressing problems.

Digital Media: In the world of online gaming and streaming, 'delay' is often discussed as 'stream delay' or 'input delay,' referring to the lag between an action and its appearance on screen.

The gamer complained about the significant input delay that made it impossible to win the match.

You will also encounter this word in customer service interactions. When you call a company to ask about a missing package, the representative might say, 'I see there was a delay at our sorting facility.' In this context, the word serves as an explanation that shifts the blame from an individual person to a process or a specific location. It is also used in the medical field, where doctors might discuss a 'delay in onset' of symptoms or a 'delay in the recovery process.'

The doctor explained that the delay in the patient's recovery was due to an underlying infection.

Legal and Bureaucratic: Lawyers often use the word when discussing 'delaying tactics' used by the opposing side to slow down a trial.

The judge warned the defense attorney against any further delay in providing the necessary documents.

There was a long delay at the border while the guards checked everyone's passports.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with delay is confusing the noun form with the verb form. While they look identical, their grammatical roles are different. As a noun, 'delay' follows articles (a/the) or possessives (my/their). As a verb, it describes the action of making something late. For example, 'The delay (noun) was annoying' vs 'They delayed (verb) the flight.' Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition. Learners often say 'delay of the meeting' when they mean 'delay to the meeting' or 'delay in the meeting.'

Confusion with 'Late': 'Late' is an adjective or adverb, while 'delay' is a noun or verb. You can say 'I am late,' but you cannot say 'I am delay.'

Incorrect: 'There was a late in the train.' Correct: 'There was a delay in the train service.'

Another mistake involves the countability of the word. While you can have 'a delay' (singular) or 'delays' (plural), learners sometimes use it as an uncountable noun in situations where it should be countable. For instance, 'There was much delay' is less common than 'There was a long delay.' Additionally, 'delay' is sometimes confused with 'postponement.' A 'delay' usually implies that something will still happen relatively soon or that the lateness was unintentional. A 'postponement' is almost always an intentional decision to move an event to a much later date or time.

Preposition Pitfalls: Avoid saying 'delay for.' Use 'delay in' for the process and 'delay to' for the event affected.

Incorrect: 'The delay for the payment.' Correct: 'The delay in payment.'

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the difference between 'delay' and 'lag.' 'Lag' is specifically used for technical or digital lateness (like in video games or internet connections), whereas 'delay' is a broader term that can apply to anything from a train to a heart rate. Using 'lag' to describe a late train would be incorrect. Similarly, 'retardation' is a technical term in physics or biology but should never be used as a synonym for a simple delay in social or travel contexts as it can be offensive or confusing.

Incorrect: 'The train had a lag of ten minutes.' Correct: 'The train had a delay of ten minutes.'

Word Order: When using 'delay' with time, the time usually comes first: 'a ten-minute delay,' not 'a delay of ten-minute' (though 'a delay of ten minutes' is correct).

The delay in the results was due to a technical error in the lab.

We must act without delay if we want to save the company from bankruptcy.

While delay is a very versatile word, there are several synonyms that can provide more specific meaning depending on the situation. Choosing the right alternative can make your English sound more natural and precise. For example, in casual conversation, people often use the term 'holdup' to describe a delay caused by a specific problem, like traffic or a technical glitch. 'Setback' is another alternative, but it implies a more serious delay that actually moves a project backward or makes it harder to complete.

Holdup vs. Delay: A 'holdup' is usually informal and often implies someone or something is physically blocking progress. A 'delay' is more general and formal.

'Sorry I'm late, there was a major holdup on the motorway because of an accident.'

In technical or scientific contexts, you might use 'latency' or 'lag.' 'Latency' is the formal term for the time it takes for a signal to travel, while 'lag' is the common term used by gamers and internet users. If you are talking about a pause in a conversation or a temporary stop in an activity, 'interruption' or 'hiatus' might be better choices. 'Hiatus' is particularly useful for describing a long, planned break in a series or a career, such as 'The band is on a two-year hiatus.'

Setback vs. Delay: A 'delay' is just a matter of time. A 'setback' is a problem that makes progress more difficult and might require extra work to fix.

The loss of our main investor was a serious setback for the startup company.

Other words like 'procrastination' refer to a delay caused specifically by a person's own laziness or indecision. While a 'delay' can be anyone's fault, 'procrastination' is always the fault of the person doing it. In formal documents, you might see 'deferment,' which is often used for financial matters, like a 'deferment of student loan payments.' This means the payment is officially allowed to happen later. Understanding these nuances helps you navigate different social and professional environments with confidence.

His constant procrastination led to a significant delay in the team's final report.

Lateness vs. Delay: 'Lateness' is the quality of being late. 'Delay' is the event or period of time that causes the lateness.

The delay in the mail delivery was caused by the national strike.

We experienced a brief pause in the music while the DJ fixed the speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

In the Middle Ages, 'delay' was often used in legal contexts to describe the time allowed for a person to appear in court. If you didn't show up, you were in 'default.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɪˈleɪ/

US /dɪˈleɪ/

The stress is on the second syllable: de-LAY.

Rhymes With

stay play day away today display relay survey

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'DEE-lay' (stressing the first syllable).
Pronouncing the 'e' as a long 'ee' sound instead of a short 'ih'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'daily'.
Making the 'd' sound too soft.
Not making the 'ay' sound long enough in the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize on signs and in simple texts.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of prepositions like 'in' or 'to'.

Speaking 2/5

Common in apologies and travel situations.

Listening 1/5

Frequently heard in clear, slow announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

time late wait train plane

Learn Next

postpone schedule immediately appointment cancel

Advanced

latency deferral procrastination moratorium hiatus

Grammar to Know

Noun vs Verb usage

Noun: 'The delay was long.' Verb: 'Don't delay the meeting.'

Prepositions with 'delay'

Use 'in' for processes (delay in shipping) and 'to' for events (delay to the flight).

Countability

'A delay' is one instance; 'delays' are multiple; 'without delay' is uncountable.

Adjective placement

Adjectives like 'slight' or 'long' come before the noun: 'a slight delay'.

Compound Nouns

'Flight delay' and 'time delay' function as single units of meaning.

Examples by Level

There is a delay on the train today.

Il y a un retard sur le train aujourd'hui.

Uses 'there is' to introduce the noun.

I am sorry for the delay.

Je suis désolé pour le retard.

Common polite phrase.

The bus had a ten-minute delay.

Le bus avait un retard de dix minutes.

Uses a time expression as an adjective.

We had a long delay at the airport.

Nous avons eu un long retard à l'aéroport.

Adjective 'long' modifies the noun.

Is there a delay with my food?

Y a-t-il un retard avec ma nourriture ?

Question form using 'is there'.

The delay was very boring.

Le retard était très ennuyeux.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

A small delay is okay.

Un petit retard, c'est correct.

Indefinite article 'a' with an adjective.

The delay is because of the rain.

Le retard est à cause de la pluie.

Explaining the cause with 'because of'.

Please excuse the delay in my response.

Veuillez excuser le retard de ma réponse.

Formal polite request.

The heavy snow caused a big delay.

La neige abondante a causé un grand retard.

Verb 'caused' followed by the noun.

We experienced a delay of two hours.

Nous avons subi un retard de deux heures.

Formal verb 'experienced'.

There are many delays on the roads today.

Il y a beaucoup de retards sur les routes aujourd'hui.

Plural form 'delays'.

The delay in the project is a problem.

Le retard dans le projet est un problème.

Prepositional phrase 'in the project'.

I hope there is no delay tomorrow.

J'espère qu'il n'y aura pas de retard demain.

Using 'no' to negate the noun.

The flight delay was unexpected.

Le retard du vol était inattendu.

Compound noun phrase 'flight delay'.

He apologized for the delay in the meeting.

Il s'est excusé pour le retard de la réunion.

Past tense verb with a prepositional phrase.

The project was completed without delay.

Le projet a été achevé sans délai.

Idiomatic phrase 'without delay'.

There was a significant delay in the delivery of the goods.

Il y a eu un retard important dans la livraison des marchandises.

Adjective 'significant' for emphasis.

We must avoid any further delay to the schedule.

Nous devons éviter tout nouveau retard dans le calendrier.

Using 'further' to indicate more of something.

The delay was due to a technical fault in the system.

Le retard était dû à une défaillance technique du système.

Phrase 'due to' to explain the reason.

A brief delay is expected during the transition.

Un court délai est attendu pendant la transition.

Passive voice 'is expected'.

The news report mentioned a delay in the peace talks.

Le reportage a mentionné un retard dans les pourparlers de paix.

Abstract context (politics).

I'm sorry for the delay, I got held up in traffic.

Désolé pour le retard, j'ai été coincé dans les embouteillages.

Combining 'delay' with the phrasal verb 'held up'.

The delay in the results caused a lot of anxiety.

Le retard des résultats a causé beaucoup d'anxiété.

Subject-verb-object where the subject is a noun phrase.

The government's delay in responding to the crisis was criticized.

Le retard du gouvernement à répondre à la crise a été critiqué.

Possessive 'government's' modifying the noun.

Any delay in payment will result in a penalty fee.

Tout retard de paiement entraînera des frais de pénalité.

Conditional meaning using 'will result in'.

The unforeseen delay derailed our entire marketing strategy.

Le retard imprévu a fait dérailler toute notre stratégie marketing.

Metaphorical verb 'derailed'.

There was a noticeable delay between the sound and the image.

Il y avait un décalage notable entre le son et l'image.

Technical context (media).

We encountered several delays during the construction phase.

Nous avons rencontré plusieurs retards pendant la phase de construction.

Using 'several' with the plural noun.

The delay was mitigated by the team's quick thinking.

Le retard a été atténué par la rapidité d'esprit de l'équipe.

Advanced verb 'mitigated'.

He explained that the delay was unavoidable under the circumstances.

Il a expliqué que le retard était inévitable dans les circonstances.

Using 'under the circumstances' to provide context.

The delay in the trial has frustrated the victims' families.

Le retard du procès a frustré les familles des victimes.

Legal context.

The systemic delay in the bureaucracy is a major hurdle for startups.

Le retard systémique de la bureaucratie est un obstacle majeur pour les startups.

Adjective 'systemic' implies a deep-rooted issue.

Psychologists often study the effects of delay in gratification on long-term success.

Les psychologues étudient souvent les effets du retard de gratification sur le succès à long terme.

Technical psychological term.

The defense used every possible tactic to cause a delay in the proceedings.

La défense a utilisé toutes les tactiques possibles pour retarder la procédure.

Noun used as the object of an infinitive phrase.

The delay in the onset of symptoms made the diagnosis particularly difficult.

Le retard dans l'apparition des symptômes a rendu le diagnostic particulièrement difficile.

Medical context.

Such was the delay that the opportunity had completely vanished by the time we were ready.

Le retard était tel que l'opportunité avait complètement disparu au moment où nous étions prêts.

Inverted structure 'Such was the...' for emphasis.

The inherent delay in satellite communication can be problematic for live interviews.

Le retard inhérent à la communication par satellite peut être problématique pour les interviews en direct.

Adjective 'inherent' suggests a natural part of the system.

There is often a delay between a policy change and its impact on the economy.

Il y a souvent un décalage entre un changement de politique et son impact sur l'économie.

Abstract economic concept.

The artist's long hiatus was seen by some as a strategic delay to build anticipation.

Le long hiatus de l'artiste a été vu par certains comme un retard stratégique pour susciter l'attente.

Using 'delay' to describe a planned pause.

The court ruled that the delay in bringing the case to trial was a violation of the defendant's rights.

Le tribunal a jugé que le retard apporté à l'instruction de l'affaire constituait une violation des droits du défendeur.

Complex legal phrasing.

The propagation delay of the signal was measured in microseconds.

Le temps de propagation du signal a été mesuré en microsecondes.

Highly technical scientific term.

One must consider the cultural perceptions of delay when conducting international business.

Il faut tenir compte des perceptions culturelles du retard lorsqu'on fait des affaires à l'échelle internationale.

Sociolinguistic context.

The delay in the implementation of the treaty led to a resurgence of hostilities.

Le retard dans la mise en œuvre du traité a entraîné une recrudescence des hostilités.

Formal political analysis.

He argued that the delay was not merely incidental but a calculated act of sabotage.

Il a soutenu que le retard n'était pas simplement fortuit mais un acte de sabotage calculé.

Using 'not merely... but...' for rhetorical effect.

The existential dread caused by the delay of the inevitable is a recurring theme in his poetry.

L'angoisse existentielle causée par le retard de l'inévitable est un thème récurrent dans sa poésie.

Philosophical/Literary context.

The inherent delay in the feedback loop made the system prone to oscillation.

Le retard inhérent à la boucle de rétroaction rendait le système sujet aux oscillations.

Engineering/Systems theory context.

The sheer length of the delay suggested a fundamental breakdown in communication.

La durée même du retard suggérait une rupture fondamentale de la communication.

Using 'sheer' to emphasize the magnitude.

Synonyms

holdup wait setback postponement pause

Antonyms

advance rush

Common Collocations

cause a delay

experience a delay

slight delay

significant delay

unavoidable delay

without delay

lengthy delay

time delay

flight delay

undue delay

Common Phrases

apologize for the delay

— A standard polite way to say sorry for being late or taking a long time.

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you.

subject to delay

— Used to warn that something might be late depending on the situation.

Train services are subject to delay due to the weather.

after some delay

— Used in storytelling to show that a gap of time passed before something happened.

After some delay, the door finally opened.

minimize the delay

— To try to make the lateness as short as possible.

We are working hard to minimize the delay for our customers.

expect a delay

— To predict that something will be late.

Drivers should expect a delay on the M1 this morning.

reason for the delay

— The explanation for why something is late.

What was the reason for the delay in the project?

without further delay

— A formal way to say 'right now' or 'immediately'.

Let us begin the ceremony without further delay.

suffer a delay

— To be negatively affected by something being late.

The company suffered a delay in its expansion plans.

encounter a delay

— To come across or experience a problem that causes lateness.

We encountered a delay at the customs office.

indefinite delay

— A delay where no one knows when the event will actually happen.

The launch has been put on indefinite delay.

Often Confused With

delay vs late

'Late' is an adjective (I am late), while 'delay' is a noun (There is a delay).

delay vs postpone

'Postpone' is a verb meaning to intentionally move something to a later date.

delay vs lag

'Lag' is specifically for technical or digital lateness, like in video games.

Idioms & Expressions

"justice delayed is justice denied"

— If a legal remedy is available but not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no remedy at all.

The victims felt that the five-year delay in the trial proved that justice delayed is justice denied.

formal/legal

"delaying tactics"

— Methods used to slow down a process or decision intentionally.

The opposition party used delaying tactics to prevent the bill from passing.

neutral

"cut to the chase"

— To stop wasting time and get to the important part (often used to end a delay).

Stop with the delays and just cut to the chase: how much will it cost?

informal

"drag one's feet"

— To act slowly or with a lack of enthusiasm, causing a delay.

The government is dragging its feet on the new environmental laws.

informal

"buy time"

— To create a delay intentionally to gain an advantage or prepare more.

He asked a lot of questions just to buy time while he thought of an answer.

neutral

"put something on ice"

— To delay or postpone a plan or project for a while.

We've had to put the new website project on ice until we have more funding.

informal

"take a rain check"

— To delay a social invitation to a later date.

I can't make it tonight, but can I take a rain check?

informal

"sit on something"

— To delay taking action or making a decision about something.

The manager has been sitting on my request for a raise for three weeks.

informal

"play for time"

— To act in a way that creates a delay because you are not ready yet.

The lawyer was playing for time, hoping the witness wouldn't show up.

neutral

"bide one's time"

— To wait patiently for the right moment to act (an intentional delay).

She is just biding her time until a better job offer comes along.

neutral

Easily Confused

delay vs Postponement

Both involve things happening later.

A delay is often unintentional and short; a postponement is an intentional decision to move an event to a new date.

The delay was 10 minutes, but the postponement was for a whole week.

delay vs Lateness

They both describe being late.

Lateness is the state of being late; a delay is the event or period of time that causes it.

His lateness was caused by a delay on the train.

delay vs Hinderance

Both slow things down.

A hindrance is something that makes an action difficult; a delay is specifically about the time lost.

The heavy rain was a hindrance that caused a delay.

delay vs Retardation

Technically means slowing down.

This is a scientific term and can be highly offensive if used socially; always use 'delay' for general lateness.

The retardation of the chemical reaction was expected in the lab.

delay vs Pause

Both involve a stop in time.

A pause is usually a short, intentional break; a delay is often an unwanted interruption.

He took a pause to drink water, but the delay in the speech was due to a lost page.

Sentence Patterns

There is a [adjective] delay.

There is a small delay.

I am sorry for the delay in [noun].

I am sorry for the delay in my email.

The [noun] was delayed due to [reason].

The flight was delayed due to fog.

To avoid any further delay, we should [verb].

To avoid any further delay, we should start now.

Despite the systemic delay, the [noun] [verb].

Despite the systemic delay, the project succeeded.

The inherent delay in [process] necessitates [noun].

The inherent delay in the system necessitates a backup.

All

Without delay.

Please act without delay.

All

A delay of [time].

A delay of ten minutes.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in travel and business contexts.

Common Mistakes

I am delay. → I am late.
'Delay' is a noun or verb, not an adjective. You cannot use it to describe your state of being late.
The delay for the train. → The delay to the train.
We use the preposition 'to' when referring to a specific transport service that is late.
Without a delay. → Without delay.
While 'without a delay' is grammatically possible, 'without delay' is the standard idiomatic expression for 'immediately'.
A ten-minutes delay. → A ten-minute delay.
When a time expression is used as an adjective before a noun, it should be singular.
The delay of my reply. → The delay in my reply.
We use 'in' to describe the activity or thing that is taking too much time.

Tips

Countable vs Uncountable

Remember that 'delay' is countable when referring to specific instances (three delays) but uncountable in the phrase 'without delay'.

Use 'Slight' for Politeness

When you are a little bit late, calling it a 'slight delay' sounds more professional and less like a big mistake.

Airport Announcements

In airports, listen for the word 'delayed' on the screen; this is the adjective form of the noun 'delay'.

Professional Apologies

Use 'I apologize for the delay in my response' as a standard opening for emails that you took a few days to answer.

Time Perception

Be aware that what is considered a 'long delay' varies by culture. In some places, 5 minutes is a delay; in others, it's 30 minutes.

Delay vs Lag

Use 'lag' for internet and gaming issues, but use 'delay' for almost everything else in life.

French Connection

Knowing it comes from the French 'delaier' can help you remember the 'ay' sound at the end.

Justice Delayed

The phrase 'justice delayed is justice denied' is a powerful way to talk about the importance of speed in the legal system.

Holdup vs Delay

Use 'holdup' when you are talking to friends about traffic, but use 'delay' when talking to your boss.

Stress the 'LAY'

Always put the emphasis on the second part of the word to be understood clearly by native speakers.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'D-E-LAY': Don't Expect (to) Leave As Yesterday. It reminds you that things are happening later than before.

Visual Association

Imagine a large airport clock with the hands moving backward or a snail carrying a suitcase. This links the idea of time and travel to the word.

Word Web

Time Late Airport Wait Schedule Problem Slow Gap

Challenge

Try to use the word 'delay' in three different sentences today: one about travel, one about work, and one about a personal habit.

Word Origin

The word 'delay' comes from the Old French word 'delaier,' which was used in the 12th century. This Old French term itself likely comes from the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'away') and 'laier' (meaning 'to leave'). It entered the English language in the late 13th century.

Original meaning: To put off, to defer, or to hinder progress.

Indo-European (via Latin and French).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'delay' to describe a person's mental development; use 'developmental delay' only in a medical context, as older terms are now considered offensive.

In the UK and US, punctuality is highly valued, so 'delay' is often used with an apology.

The play 'Waiting for Godot' is essentially about a long, existential delay. The song 'Delayed' by various artists often deals with missed opportunities. In the movie 'The Terminal', the protagonist experiences a permanent delay.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Airport/Travel

flight delay
weather delay
delayed departure
missed connection

Office/Business

delay in payment
project delay
apologize for the delay
without delay

Technology/Internet

input delay
audio delay
stream delay
network latency

Medical/Health

delay in treatment
developmental delay
delay in onset
recovery delay

Legal/Court

undue delay
delaying tactics
delay of execution
procedural delay

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had a really long delay at an airport?"

"What do you usually do to pass the time during a travel delay?"

"Do you think a small delay in a project is always a bad thing?"

"How do you feel when there is a delay in someone replying to your text?"

"What is the most common reason for a delay in your city's transport?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time a delay actually led to something good happening in your life.

Describe your feelings when you are stuck in a long delay. How do you handle the frustration?

If you could eliminate one type of delay from the world (e.g., traffic, internet), which would it be and why?

Write a formal email apologizing for a delay in a project you are working on.

Reflect on the phrase 'justice delayed is justice denied.' What does it mean to you?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is both! As a noun, it means the period of lateness (e.g., 'a long delay'). As a verb, it means the action of making something late (e.g., 'Don't delay us').

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'I am late' or 'I am experiencing a delay.' 'Delay' is a noun or verb, not an adjective.

We usually use 'delay in' for a process (delay in shipping) and 'delay to' for a specific event or service (delay to the 5:00 train).

Usually, yes, because it implies something isn't going as planned. However, in music or art, a 'delay' can be a positive, intentional effect.

It is a formal way to say 'immediately.' For example: 'Please send the report without delay.' It usually comes at the end of the sentence.

It means that there is a possibility that something will be late. You often see this on travel websites or signs.

Yes, but it's more common to say a person is 'late' or 'held up.' You might say 'Sorry for the delay' when you arrive late to a meeting.

It is a specific amount of time programmed into a machine or system before an action happens, like a camera timer.

No, you can use the singular 'a delay' for one instance. 'Delays' is used when there are multiple problems or a general issue.

The most common opposites are 'promptness,' 'punctuality,' or 'haste.' These all imply being on time or fast.