Advertisement

View synonyms for

delay

[dih-ley]

verb (used with object)

  1. to put off to a later time; defer; postpone.

    The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.

  2. to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder.

    The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.

    Synonyms: ,


verb (used without object)

  1. to put off action; linger; dally.

    He delayed until it was too late.

    Synonyms: ,

noun

  1. the act of delaying; procrastination.

    Synonyms:
  2. an instance of being delayed.

    There were many delays during the train trip.

    Synonyms: ,
  3. the period or amount of time during which something is delayed.

    The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.

delay

/ ɪˈɪ /

verb

  1. (tr) to put off to a later time; defer

  2. (tr) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain

  3. (intr) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate

  4. (intr) to linger; dawdle

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed

  2. the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • delayable adjective
  • delayer noun
  • delayingly adverb
  • predelay noun
  • undelayable adjective
  • undelaying adjective
  • undelayingly adverb
  • ˈ noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of delay1

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English delaien (verb), delai(e) (noun), from Old French delaier (verb), delai (noun)
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of delay1

C13: from Old French delaier, from des- off + laier, variant of laissier to leave, from Latin to loosen, from laxus slack, lax
Discover More

Synonym Study

See defer 1.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Baroness Casey's review, which began in January, was due to take three months and had been delayed.

From

Most people are better off waiting at least until their full retirement age to apply, and many will maximize their lifetime benefits by delaying until age 70.

From

City road closures and flight delays from nearby Reagan National Airport are expected throughout much of Saturday.

From

Heston's journey mirrors that of many: misunderstood mood swings, delayed diagnosis, and the long road to balance.

From

Bumper-to-bumper traffic had delayed her car journey to Ahmedabad airport - so much so that she missed her Air India flight to London Gatwick by just 10 minutes.

From

Advertisement

Discover More

When To Use

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


De La Warrdelayed