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- DictionaryDe·lay/dəˈlā/
verb
- 1. make (someone or something) late or slow: "the train was delayed" Similar detainhold upmake lateretardkeep (back)slow upslow downset backbog downhinderhamperimpedeobstruct
- ▪ be late or slow; loiter: "time being of the essence, they delayed no longer" Similar lingerdallytake one's timedrag one's feetbe slowhold backlag/fall behinddawdleloiternot keep pacewaste timeprocrastinatestallplay for timebuy timehang firemark timetemporizehesitatedithershilly-shallystonewallfilibusterinformal:dilly-dallylet the grass grow under one's feetarchaic, literary:tarryOpposite hurry
- ▪ postpone or defer (an action): "he may decide to delay the next cut in interest rates" Similar postponeput offdeferhold overshelvesuspendstayhold in abeyancepigeonholerescheduleadjournput overtablelay on the tablecontinueinformal:put on iceput on the back burnerput in cold storagerare:remitrespiteOpposite advancebring forward
noun
- 1. a period of time by which something is late or postponed: "a two-hour delay" Similar holdupwaitwaiting perioddetainmenthindranceimpedimentobstructionsetbackintervalgapinterludepostponementdeferraldefermentputting offstayrespitereschedulingadjournmentcontinuationrare:put-off
- ▪ the action of delaying or being delayed: "I set off without delay" Similar lingeringdallyingdawdlingloiteringprocrastinationstallinghesitationditheringshilly-shallyinginformal:dilly-dallyingarchaic, literary:tarryingrare:cunctation
- ▪ the time interval between the propagation of an electrical signal and its reception.
- ▪ an electronic device that introduces a time interval, especially in an audio signal.
Word Origin Middle English: from Old French delayer (verb).
Derivatives
- 1. delayer noun
Scrabble Points: 9
D
2E
1L
1A
1Y
4
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