tardy
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for tardy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Arriving or happening later than expected; late.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use tardy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tardy arrival
notoriously tardy
get a tardy
Common in American school settings as a noun ("a tardy") for a late arrival, and generally as an adjective meaning late in more formal writing.
Etymology
From French tardif, going back to Latin tardus, meaning slow or sluggish.
Full origin of tardy →Frequently asked questions
What does “tardy” mean?
The word “tardy” means arriving or happening later than expected; late. In plain terms, a slightly formal word for being late.
How do you pronounce “tardy”?
“Tardy” is pronounced TAH-dee (/ˈtɑɹdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “tardy” in a sentence?
Here is “tardy” used in a sentence: “He was tardy for the meeting again, and his boss noticed.”
What part of speech is “tardy”?
Depending on how it is used, “tardy” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “tardy” come from?
The word “tardy” comes from Latin. From French tardif, going back to Latin tardus, meaning slow or sluggish.
How many meanings does “tardy” have?
“Tardy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: arriving or happening later than expected; late.
Related words
tardy slip
