What does "delay" mean?
A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.
Delay
/dɪˈleɪ/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.
- Grammar: delay is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: postponement, deferment, detain, hinder.
- Useful contrasts: accelerated, advanced spanish class, blue cue.
- Usage evidence: I apologize for the delay in sending the agenda.
How to use "delay"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "delay" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "delay" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "delay" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "delay" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "delay" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "postponement" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "delay", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity. countable, uncountable
"the delay before the echo of a sound"
- 2 the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time wordnet
- 3 An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay. countable, uncountable
"The 8-bit sound quality of many early delays did indeed leave a lot to be desired (compare this to the 16-bit digital technology of CDs)"
- 4 time during which some action is awaited wordnet
- 5 Synonym of promise (“object representing delayed result”). countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 An amount of time provided on each move before one's clock starts to tick; a less common time control than increment. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To put off until a later time; to defer. transitive
"My lord delayeth his coming."
- 2 To dilute, temper. obsolete
- 3 slow the growth or development of wordnet
- 4 To retard; to temporarily stop, detain, or hinder. transitive
"The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow."
- 5 To assuage, quench, allay. obsolete
"Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd / And quenched quite like a consumed torch […]."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 cause to be slowed down or delayed wordnet
- 7 To wait, hesitate, tarry. intransitive
"Don't delay; this special offer ends at midnight!"
- 8 stop or halt wordnet
- 9 To allay; to temper. obsolete, transitive
"The watery showers delay the raging wind."
- 10 act later than planned, scheduled, or required wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I apologize for the delay in sending the agenda."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "delay"?
Common synonyms include: postponement, deferment, detain, hinder, hold up, latency.
How do you use "delay" in a sentence?
I apologize for the delay in sending the agenda.
How do you pronounce "delay"?
Pronounced /dɪˈleɪ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English delaien, borrowed from Anglo-Norman delaier, Old French deslaier, from des- + Old French laier (“to leave”), a conflation of Old Frankish *lattjan ("to delay, hinder"; from Proto-Germanic *latjaną (“to delay, hinder, stall”), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₁d- (“to leave, leave behind”)), and Old Frankish *laibijan ("to leave"; from Proto-Germanic *laibijaną (“to leave, cause to stay”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyp- (“to remain, continue”)). Doublet of dally. Akin to Old English latian (“to delay, hesitate”), Old English latu (“a delay, a hindrance”), Old English lǣfan (“to leave”). More at let (to hinder), late, leave.
Etymology 2
From Middle English delaien, from Old French delaiier, a variant of delaissier.