Explanation at your level:
When you are waiting for a bus and it does not come on time, we say the bus is delayed. It means it is late. You can say, 'My train is delayed.' This is a very useful word for traveling.
You use delayed when things do not happen at the right time. For example, if a meeting starts at 2:00 but begins at 2:30, it is delayed. It is common to hear this at airports or train stations.
The word delayed is an adjective that describes an event or object that is behind its planned schedule. It is most frequently used in professional and travel contexts. For instance, 'The shipment was delayed by the storm.' It is a neutral way to report a change in timing.
Delayed implies a disruption to a pre-existing schedule. It is often used in formal communication, such as 'The board meeting has been delayed until next week.' It carries a nuance of external factors causing the shift, rather than just being 'late' due to personal error.
In advanced usage, delayed can refer to psychological or biological processes, such as a 'delayed response' or 'delayed development.' It suggests a temporal gap between a stimulus and an action. In academic writing, it is preferred over 'late' because it sounds more objective and precise.
At the C2 level, delayed is understood within the context of systemic latency. It is used to describe complex phenomena, such as 'delayed gratification' in psychology or 'delayed effects' in medicine. Its etymological link to 'dilatare' highlights the concept of temporal expansion, which is a sophisticated way to frame the passage of time in formal discourse.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means behind schedule.
- Common in travel and work.
- Synonym for late/postponed.
- Used as an adjective.
Hey there! Have you ever stood at an airport and heard the announcement that your flight is delayed? It is a word we use constantly in our daily lives.
Essentially, being delayed means that an event, a person, or a service is behind schedule. It implies that there was a plan, but something got in the way, causing a pause or a later start time.
Think of it as a speed bump in your day. Whether it is a late bus, a slow email response, or a project that isn't finished on time, the word delayed is the go-to term for anything that isn't quite on track with the clock.
The word delayed comes from the Middle English word delaien, which traces back to the Old French delaier. If you go even further, it finds roots in the Vulgar Latin dilatare, meaning to spread out or expand.
Historically, it was used to describe anything that was 'put off' or 'deferred.' It is fascinating how a word that once meant 'to stretch out' eventually became synonymous with being 'late.' It reflects how our ancestors viewed time—if you stretch out a task, it naturally takes longer to finish!
Over the centuries, the word has remained remarkably stable in its meaning. It is a classic example of how Latin roots continue to shape our modern English vocabulary in very practical ways.
You will hear delayed most often in professional or travel contexts. It is a neutral, descriptive word that doesn't usually carry a negative emotional weight, though it can be frustrating!
Common collocations include flight delayed, delayed reaction, and indefinitely delayed. You might say, 'The train was delayed by ten minutes.' This is a standard way to provide information.
In a formal register, you might see it in business reports, such as 'The project launch was delayed due to supply chain issues.' It is versatile enough for both a casual chat with a friend and a serious corporate presentation.
While 'delayed' is a direct word, we often use it alongside other phrases. Here are five ways to talk about delays:
- Better late than never: It is better to do something late than not at all.
- Hold up: To cause a delay. 'What was the hold-up?'
- Behind schedule: Being late on a timeline.
- Drag your feet: To delay doing something on purpose.
- In the pipeline: Something that is coming, but might be delayed.
The word delayed is the past participle of the verb 'delay,' functioning here as an adjective. It is pronounced /dɪˈleɪd/ in both British and American English.
Notice the stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with played, swayed, sprayed, decayed, and betrayed. It is a simple word to pronounce, but make sure to emphasize that final 'd' sound clearly.
Grammatically, it is often used with the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'The bus was delayed'). It is a regular verb, so the past tense and participle forms are identical, which makes it very easy to learn!
Fun Fact
The word originally meant to 'spread out' in Latin!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear d-sound, emphasis on second syllable.
Very similar to UK, crisp 'd' at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as three syllables (de-lay-ed)
- Weakening the 'd' at the end
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Passive Voice
The flight was delayed.
Adjectives
The delayed flight.
Prepositions
Delayed by an hour.
Examples by Level
The train is delayed.
Train is late
Adjective usage
My flight is delayed.
Flight is late
Passive voice
The bus was delayed.
Bus was late
Past tense
Is the car delayed?
Is the car late?
Question form
It is delayed today.
It is late today
Time marker
The boat is delayed.
Boat is late
Subject-verb
Why is it delayed?
Why is it late?
Wh- question
Not delayed now.
Not late now
Negation
The meeting was delayed by an hour.
Heavy rain delayed the construction.
The package is delayed in the mail.
I am sorry for the delayed reply.
The show was delayed until tonight.
Why was the flight delayed?
The project is slightly delayed.
Expect a delayed arrival.
The delayed response caused some confusion.
The government announced a delayed tax deadline.
We apologize for the delayed service.
The delayed growth of the plant was a concern.
His delayed reaction saved him from the accident.
The delayed payment led to a fine.
Construction work delayed the traffic.
The delayed opening of the shop was unexpected.
The policy change had a delayed effect on the market.
The delayed implementation of the new software caused issues.
She suffered from delayed onset of symptoms.
The delayed gratification was worth the wait.
The committee decided on a delayed launch date.
The delayed arrival of the supplies halted production.
His delayed response suggested he was hiding something.
The project suffered from a significantly delayed timeline.
The delayed repercussions of the treaty were felt years later.
The study examines the delayed impact of early childhood stress.
A delayed reaction time is a common symptom of fatigue.
The delayed publication of the manuscript was due to legal disputes.
The system experienced a delayed synchronization.
The delayed onset of the monsoon affected local crops.
The company faced criticism for its delayed response to the crisis.
The delayed signal caused a glitch in the transmission.
The phenomenon of delayed luminescence is well-documented in physics.
The delayed maturation of the species is an evolutionary adaptation.
The delayed transmission of the data was caused by a network bottleneck.
The delayed implementation of the legislation sparked a constitutional debate.
The delayed recognition of the artist's work is a tragedy.
The delayed response of the immune system can be problematic.
The delayed gratification of the senses is a core principle in asceticism.
The delayed arrival of the reinforcements changed the course of the battle.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Better late than never"
Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
He finally arrived; better late than never!
neutral"Hold up"
To cause a delay.
What is the hold-up?
casual"Drag one's feet"
To delay doing something intentionally.
The manager is dragging his feet on the new hire.
neutral"Behind the eight ball"
In a difficult position, often due to delays.
The delay left us behind the eight ball.
casual"In the works"
Being planned or prepared, but not yet ready.
A new policy is in the works.
neutral"Beat the clock"
To finish before a deadline.
We managed to beat the clock.
neutralEasily Confused
Both imply lateness.
Postponed is a choice; delayed is often forced.
The game was postponed due to rain.
Both mean behind time.
Late is general; delayed is specific to schedules.
He is late for work.
Both mean put off.
Deferred is for payments or decisions.
The payment was deferred.
Both mean late.
Tardy is usually for people.
The student was tardy.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + was + delayed + by + time
The flight was delayed by two hours.
Subject + was + delayed + due to + reason
The train was delayed due to snow.
The + delayed + noun + verb
The delayed train arrived late.
Subject + caused + a + delayed + noun
The storm caused a delayed start.
It + is + delayed + until + time
It is delayed until tomorrow.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
We usually use 'delayed' for transport or events, not people.
Use 'by' to show the duration of the delay.
Postponed is a choice; delayed is usually forced.
Delayed implies it started late, postponed implies the start date changed.
You need the past participle form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock at the airport frozen.
Native Speakers
Used for anything behind schedule.
Cultural Insight
Being on time is valued in many English-speaking cultures.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'by' for the time amount.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'delayed of'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'stretch out'.
Study Smart
Learn it with 'postponed'.
Writing Tip
Use it to sound professional.
Listening Tip
Listen for it in travel announcements.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
D-E-L-A-Y = Don't Ever Leave At Your-usual-time (because it's delayed).
Visual Association
A clock with its hands stuck.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'delayed' in a sentence about your day today.
Word Origin
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: To stretch out
Cultural Context
None, neutral term.
Commonly used in public announcements.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel
- Flight is delayed
- Train is delayed
- Delayed arrival
Work
- Delayed project
- Delayed response
- Delayed payment
Daily Life
- Delayed bus
- Delayed meeting
- Delayed start
Academic
- Delayed development
- Delayed onset
- Delayed effect
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had a flight delayed?"
"What do you do when a meeting is delayed?"
"How do you feel when a train is delayed?"
"Is it better to be delayed or to cancel?"
"Have you ever had a delayed package?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were delayed.
How do you handle being delayed?
Describe a situation where a delay was helpful.
What is the most annoying delay you have experienced?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, but delayed is more formal.
Usually no, use 'late' for a person.
It acts as both.
dih-LAYD.
Delay.
Yes.
It can be, but it's mostly descriptive.
The [thing] was delayed.
Test Yourself
The flight is ___.
Delayed describes a late flight.
What does delayed mean?
Delayed means behind schedule.
Delayed is an adjective.
It describes a noun.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms and antonyms.
Subject + verb + adjective.
Which is a synonym for delayed?
Postponed means put to a later time.
Delayed gratification is a psychological concept.
It refers to waiting for a reward.
The ___ reaction was due to shock.
Delayed reaction is a common collocation.
Word
Meaning
Advanced usage.
Advanced sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
Delayed means an event is happening later than planned.
- Means behind schedule.
- Common in travel and work.
- Synonym for late/postponed.
- Used as an adjective.
Memory Palace
Imagine a clock at the airport frozen.
Native Speakers
Used for anything behind schedule.
Cultural Insight
Being on time is valued in many English-speaking cultures.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'by' for the time amount.
Example
The bus is delayed because of the heavy rain.
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This Word in Other Languages
More Descriptions words
short
A1Describes something that measures a small distance from one end to the other or is not tall in height. It is also used to describe a brief period of time or a limited amount of something.
rapid
A1A part of a river where the water flows very fast over rocks. It is a place in a stream where the current is very strong and the water surface is broken.
low
A1Not high or tall in height, often positioned close to the ground or a base level. It can also describe a small amount of something, a quiet sound, or a sad mood.
narrow
A1Narrow describes something that has a very small distance from one side to the other. It is the opposite of wide and is often used to describe roads, paths, or spaces.
thick
A1Describes something that has a large distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe liquids that are dense and do not flow easily, or things that grow closely together like hair or forest trees.
full
A1The complete amount or the state of being total without any parts missing. It is most frequently used in fixed phrases like 'in full' to describe a payment or a name that is complete.
gray
A1A neutral color that is a mixture of black and white, often seen in clouds, ash, or lead. It is used to describe objects that lack bright color or to represent a sense of seriousness and neutrality.
purple
A1Purple is a color that is made by mixing red and blue together. It is a common color found in nature, such as in certain flowers and fruits like grapes.
tiny
A1Describes something that is very small in size, amount, or degree. It is more emphatic than the word 'small' and is often used to highlight how little something is.
perfect
A1In grammar, the perfect refers to a verb form that shows an action is completed or finished. It is also used in the phrase 'practice makes perfect' to describe a state of having no mistakes.
