delayed
6 synonyms and 9 antonyms for delayed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Happening later than planned or expected.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use delayed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “delayed” mean?
The word “delayed” means happening later than planned or expected. In plain terms, running late, or arriving after the time it was supposed to.
How do you pronounce “delayed”?
“Delayed” is pronounced duh-LAYD (/dəˈleɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “delayed” in a sentence?
Here is “delayed” used in a sentence: “Our flight was delayed by three hours due to a storm.”
What is the opposite of “delayed”?
The opposite of “delayed” — its antonyms — are continuous, just in time, on time, recommenced and resumed.
What part of speech is “delayed”?
“Delayed” is an adjective.
Is “delayed” a common word?
“Delayed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between delayed and postponed?
Delayed means happening later than planned or expected, often because of an unforeseen holdup. Postponed means deliberately rescheduled to a later time, usually by decision in advance, so a delay is often accidental while a postponement is planned.
What is the difference between delayed and cancelled?
A delayed event is still going to happen, just later than planned. A cancelled event will not happen at all. Delay changes only the timing, while cancellation removes the event entirely.
What is the difference between delayed and late?
Late describes something that arrives or happens after the expected time. Delayed emphasises that something was held up or pushed back from its planned schedule, often by a specific cause, and is common with transport, flights, and projects.
Is it correct to say "delayed by" or "delayed until"?
Both are correct but mean different things. "Delayed by" names the cause or the length of the holdup, as in "delayed by fog" or "delayed by two hours." "Delayed until" names the new time, as in "delayed until noon."