What does tardily mean?
Tardily is an adverb meaning in a late or delayed manner, especially later than expected. It is commonly used for arrivals, responses, decisions, and other actions that do not happen at the expected time: a train may arrive tardily, or a person may respond tardily to a message. The word is more formal and somewhat more pointed than the everyday word late. Its wording can convey mild criticism, suggesting that someone or something has fallen behind schedule, but it is not necessarily hostile. Tardily is derived from tardy, an adjective meaning late or overdue, which in turn comes through French from Latin tardus, meaning slow or late. Although the precise time of first use is less important than the word's long history, the adverb has followed the adjective in English for several centuries. The word is useful because it gives a concise, polished way to describe lateness while retaining the particular nuance of delay associated with tardiness.
adverbIn a tardy manner; late or after the expected time. It can describe an action, response, or arrival that is delayed.
- In a tardy manner; late or after the expected time.
"The guests arrived tardily, forcing the host to delay the announcement."
"The train arrived tardily, leaving the passengers stranded at the station."
"She responded tardily to the invitation, apologizing for the delay."
Tardily shares its Latin root with words meaning “slow” or “late,” so its sense of delay is older than the modern urge to blame the clock.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tardily come from?
Tardily was formed in English from tardy by adding the adverbial suffix -ly. Tardy comes through French tard, meaning late, from Latin tardus, meaning slow or late. The same Latin root is reflected in related English words such as tardiness, tardive, and tardigrade, although their later meanings and forms developed through separate paths.
How tardily is actually used
Tardily is formal and somewhat literary. It often suggests lateness in a mildly disapproving or emphatic way, although it can be used neutrally in reporting delays.
Easily confused with tardily
Tardy is an adjective describing someone or something that is late, whereas tardily is an adverb describing an action performed late.