Tardy

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)di

Origin

From an earlier tardive, from Old French tardif, from Vulgar Latin *tardivus, from Latin tardus ("slow”, “sluggish").

Full definition of tardy

Adjective

1. Late; overdue or delayed.He yawned, then raised a tardy hand over his mouth.
2. ineffectual; slow-witted, slow to act, or dullard.His tardy performance bordered on incompetence.
3. Moving with a slow pace or motion; not swift.
• SandysCheck the tardy flight of time.
• Priortardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave
4. (obsolete) Unwary; unready.
5. (obsolete) Criminal; guilty.

Synonyms

• (late; overdue; not on time) belated, delayed

Usage notes

The term suggests habitual lateness.

Somewhat dated in the United Kingdom.

Noun

1. (US) A piece of paper given to students who are late to class.The teacher gave her a tardy because she did not come into the classroom until after the bell.

Verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To make tardy.