tardy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite after the expected or usual time; delayed
    late; belated.
    • a belated birthday card
    • I'm late for the plane
    • the train is late
    • tardy children are sent to the principal
    • always tardy in making dental appointments

WordNet

Tar"dy adjective
Etymology
F. tardif, fr. (assumed) LL. tardivus, fr. L. tardus slow.
Wordforms
comparative Tardier ; superlative Tardiest
Definitions
  1. Moving with a slow pace or motion; slow; not swift.
    And check the tardy flight of time. Sandys.
    Tardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave. Prior.
  2. Not being inseason; late; dilatory; -- opposed to prompt; as, to be tardy in one's payments. Arbuthnot.
    The tardy plants in our cold orchards placed. Waller.
  3. Unwary; unready. Obs. Hudibras.
  4. Criminal; guilty. Obs. Collier. Syn. -- Slow; dilatory; tedious; reluctant. See Slow.
Tar"dy transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make tardy. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913