WordGarden.iodelay
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪlˈeɪ/
US
- /dɪˈleɪ/
Meanings
Noun
a period of lateness or waiting before something happens
a lag between an input and a system's response or output
an audio effect that repeats a sound after a short interval
Verb
to make something happen later than planned or expected
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're building a magnificent tower of blocks, but your little brother keeps taking some away – that's a delay! A delay is essentially a pause or slowing down of something that was expected to happen on time. It can be frustrating when your flight is delayed at the airport, or even just annoying when there's a delay in getting your favorite snack. Sometimes delays are unavoidable, like waiting for paint to dry before adding another coat. Other times, they're caused by unforeseen circumstances – a traffic jam delaying your arrival, or a sudden snowstorm delaying school.
The word can be used as both a noun (the delay was frustrating) and a verb (don't delay, start working now!). Think of it like hitting the pause button on life - things aren't stopping completely, just being held back for a bit.
To delay something means to postpone or hold back its progress, causing it to happen later than expected. It can refer to a specific amount of time – "There was a two-hour delay in the train schedule" – or be more general, like saying "The project is facing delays due to unforeseen complications."
Delays aren't always negative. Sometimes they're intentional and strategic. A company might delay the release of a product to refine it further, or a politician might delay a vote to gather more support. However, often we use "delay" when something is unexpectedly slowed down or held up.
The context matters! A delay in medical treatment could be serious, while a slight delay in receiving a package might just be an inconvenience. You can also delay doing something yourself – "I delayed going to the dentist for months," meaning you put it off.
Figuratively, "delay" can refer to slowing down progress towards a goal or outcome. For example: "His lack of commitment is delaying the team's success." It's about interrupting the natural flow of events and pushing something into the future.
So whether it's a train running late, a project falling behind schedule, or simply putting off a task – delay signifies a temporary hold on progress, a pause before things can move forward again.
Examples
- 1
Travel disruption
Bad weather delayed our flight for three hours.
- 2
Meeting plans
Let's delay the meeting until everyone arrives.
- 3
Work return
The injury could delay his return to work.
- 4
Email response
He delayed answering the email because he needed more information.
- Patterndelay doing X
wait longer before doing X
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public transport
There was a long delay at the station this morning.
- 6
Payment processing
A problem with the system caused a delay in payment.
- 7
Polite apology
Sorry for the delay in replying to your message.
- Usagesorry for the delay in replying
a common polite phrase in emails and messages
- 8
Formal instruction
Please send the signed form without delay.
- Phrasewithout delay
immediately, without waiting
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- delaynounverb
Forms
- delayedpast tenseverbnoun
- delayspluralnounverb
- delaying-ing formverbnoun