Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
- /ˈdɪl əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/
- /ˈdɪl.ə.tər.i/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
- /ˈdɪl əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/
Definitions of dilatory word
- adjective dilatory tending to delay or procrastinate; slow; tardy. 1
- adjective dilatory intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision: a dilatory strategy. 1
- noun dilatory Slow to act. 1
- adjective dilatory slow, intended to delay 1
- adjective dilatory Someone or something that is dilatory is slow and causes delay. 0
- adjective dilatory tending or inclined to delay or waste time 0
Information block about the term
Origin of dilatory
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin dīlātōrius, equivalent to dīlā-, suppletive stem of differre to postpone (see differ) + -tōrius -tory1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Dilatory
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
dilatory popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 81% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
dilatory usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for dilatory
adj dilatory
- backward — A backward movement or look is in the direction that your back is facing. Some people use backwards for this meaning.
- delaying — to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
- deliberate — If you do something that is deliberate, you planned or decided to do it beforehand, and so it happens on purpose rather than by chance.
- laggard — a person or thing that lags; lingerer; loiterer.
- late — occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: late frosts; a late spring.
adverb dilatory
- behind time — late
- behind — If something is behind a thing or person, it is on the other side of them from you, or nearer their back rather than their front.
- in arrears — in arrears, behind or late, especially in payment: She was three months in arrears on her mortgage and credit card payments. Also, Chiefly Law, in arrear.
adjective dilatory
- problem — any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
- lagging — one of the staves or strips that form the periphery of a wooden drum, the casing of a steam cylinder, or the like.
- dragging — marked by or involving the wearing of clothing characteristically associated with the opposite sex; transvestite.
- flagging — becoming smaller or weaker; dwindling.
- procrastinating — to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.
Antonyms for dilatory
adj dilatory
- diligent — constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything: a diligent student.
- eager — keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longing: I am eager for news about them. He is eager to sing.
- zealous — full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent. Synonyms: enthusiastic, eager, fervid, fervent, intense, passionate, warm. Antonyms: apathetic; lackadaisical.
- hard-working — industrious; zealous: a hardworking family man.
- ready — completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use: troops ready for battle; Dinner is ready.
adjective dilatory
- prompt — done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay: a prompt reply.
Top questions with dilatory
- what does dilatory mean?
- what is the meaning of dilatory?
- what is dilatory?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with di
- Words starting with dil
- Words starting with dila
- Words starting with dilat
- Words starting with dilato
- Words starting with dilator
- Words starting with dilatory