Definition of 'delay'

Word Frequency

delay

(dɪleɪ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense delays , present participle delaying , past tense, past participle delayed

1. verb

If you delay doing something, you do not do it immediately or at the planned or expected time, but you leave it until later.

For sentimental reasons I wanted to delay my departure until June. [VERB noun]

They had delayed having children, for the usual reason, to establish their careers. [VERB noun/-ing]

So don't delay, write in now for your chance of a free gift. [VERB]

cancel

2. verb

To delay someone or something means to make them late or to slow them down.

Can you delay him in some way? [VERB noun]

Various set-backs and problems delayed production. [VERB noun]

The passengers were delayed for an hour. [VERB noun]

3. verb

If you delay, you deliberately take longer than necessary to do something.

If he delayed any longer, the sun would be up. [VERB]

Synonyms: linger, lag, loiter, dawdle More Synonyms of delay

4. variable noun

If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.

They claimed that such a delay wouldn't hurt anyone.

Although the tests have caused some delay, flights should be back to normal this morning.

5. uncountable noun

Delay is a failure to do something immediately or in the required or usual time.

There is no time left for delay.

We'll send you a quote without delay.

Synonyms: dawdling, lingering, loitering, procrastination More Synonyms of delay

More Synonyms of delay

Video: pronunciation of 'delay'

Word Frequency

delay in British

(dɪˈleɪ )

verb

1. (transitive)

to put off to a later time; defer

2. (transitive)

to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain

3. (intransitive)

to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate

4. (intransitive)

to linger; dawdle

noun

the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed

the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude

Derived forms

delayer (deˈlayer)

noun

Word origin of 'delay'

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

Word Frequency

delay in American

(diˈleɪ ; dēlāˈ; dɪˈleɪ ; dilāˈ)

verb transitive

to put off to a future time; postpone

to make late; slow up; detain

verb intransitive

to stop for a while; linger

noun

a delaying or being delayed

the period of time for which something is delayed

Derived forms

delayer (deˈlayer)

noun

Word origin of 'delay'

ME delaien < OFr delaier < de-, intens. + laier, to leave, let, altered (? after conjugation of faire) < laissier < L laxare: see relax

Example sentences containing 'delay'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The governor emphasised yesterday that economic pain would be delayed rather than cancelled. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Strikes and failing infrastructure have caused huge delays across the network this year. The Sun (2016)Passengers have endured months of cancellations and delays because of staff sickness and strikes. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The rail firm claims a bitter row over driveronly trains is to blame for nine months of delays and cancelled trains. The Sun (2017)Rather than delay departure, it is time to make the best of it. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Since then, the process has been delayed three times. Times, Sunday Times (2016)If you suffered a delay this summer and are due compensation, do not give up. The Sun (2016)But there is a time delay, like talking on a dodgy video link. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Nearly all said a lack of was a major issue, followed by delays in sending patients home. The Sun (2016)Before take-off, the pilot said a technical fault would delay their departure. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Computer failures caused delays at airports earlier in the month. Times, Sunday Times (2015)You notice these things on time delay. Times, Sunday Times (2013)There may be a temptation to bolster security by delaying their departure. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Taxpayers have complained of delays when sending the right documents to their accountants. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Postal delays are already hurting small businesses and major companies across the country. The Sun (2009)Hundreds of flights will be delayed or cancelled. Times, Sunday Times (2016)No less shabby is the cynical way the banks used the courts as a delaying tactic. Times, Sunday Times (2011)What terror would that delay have put the poor old dear through? The Sun (2013)Buses and regional train services were halted or suffered long delays across the country. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The job must be done again and the slip caused a costly delay to the terminal opening. Times, Sunday Times (2009)This time there were delays in getting blood tests. Times, Sunday Times (2006)It is possible that peers will be asked to delay their departure. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Any interruption in that process would have delayed innovation and hurt the global economy. Times, Sunday Times (2011)He said it would put patients at risk and cause operations to be cancelled or delayed. Times, Sunday Times (2015)So any delay puts enormous pressure on the fleet. The Sun (2010)Do not try to redeem this voucher against any other product because it may cause embarrassment and delay at the checkout. The Sun (2010)People spend endless energies delaying failures. Christianity Today (2000)All we see are delaying tactics. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The time differential of 24 hours is more indicative of cancellation than of delay. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Your story Have you suffered a train delay but found it difficult to claim compensation? Times, Sunday Times (2016)The cheque took 11 days to arrive and the letter blamed human error for the delay in sending a replacement. Times, Sunday Times (2012)There were widespread delays and cancellations at airports and on the trains, while many roads were at a standstill. The Sun (2013)But the Government cannot delay acting. The Sun (2011)The experience of the moment of presence is indefinitely postponed, infinitely deferred, perpetually delayed. Boyne, Roy Foucault and Derrida - The Other Side Of Reason (1990)

Trends of 'delay'

Very Common. delay is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'delay'

British English: delay /dɪˈleɪ/ NOUN

If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.

This caused delays and disruption to flights.

American English: delay
Arabic: تَأْخِير
Brazilian Portuguese: atraso
Chinese: 拖延
Croatian: odgoda
Czech: zpoždění
Danish: forsinkelse
Dutch: vertraging
European Spanish: retraso
Finnish: viivytys
French: retard
German: Verspätung
Greek: καθυστέρηση
Italian: ritardo
Japanese: 遅れ
Korean: 지연
Norwegian: forsinkelse
Polish: opóźnienie
European Portuguese: atraso
Romanian: întârziere
Russian: задержка
Spanish: retraso
Swedish: försening
Thai: ความล่าช้า
Turkish: gecikme
Ukrainian: затримка
Vietnamese: sự trì hoãn

British English: delay /dɪˈleɪ/ VERB

If you delay doing something, you do not do it until a later time.

He intends to delay his departure until next Sunday.

American English: delay
Arabic: يَتَأَخَّرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: atrasar
Chinese: 拖延
Croatian: odgoditi
Czech: odkládat na později
Danish: forsinke
Dutch: vertragen
European Spanish: retrasar
Finnish: viivyttää
French: retarder
German: verzögern
Greek: καθυστερώ
Italian: ritardare
Japanese: 遅れる
Korean: 지연하다
Norwegian: forsinke
Polish: opóźnić
European Portuguese: atrasar
Romanian: a amâna
Russian: отложить
Spanish: retrasar
Swedish: försena
Thai: ล่าช้า
Turkish: gecikmek
Ukrainian: відкладати
Vietnamese: trì hoãn

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Nearby words of 'delay'

Related Terms of 'delay'

Source

Definition of delay from the Collins English Dictionary

The to infinitive

The to infinitive is used as follows: after an adjective of quality such as small, tall, agreeable, pleasant, funny that is used in combination with too. The child was too small to reach the sw...