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delay
/deɪˈleɪ/
a period of time when something is postponed or slowed down
The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
The flight was postponed because of bad weather.
general
to make something happen later than originally planned
Can you delay the meeting until next week?
Can you postpone the meeting until next week?
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
general
a period of time when something is postponed or slowed down
There was a delay in the delivery of the package.
The delivery of the package was postponed.
Often used in contexts like travel, technology, and business.
Collocations
delay ina postponement or slowdown in a process or eventdelayed flighta flight that is postponed or slowed downdelayed reactiona response that happens later than expected
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Delay' is commonly used in contexts like travel, technology, and business. For example, 'The flight was delayed due to bad weather.' or 'There was a delay in the delivery of the package.'
Gold Rule
Verb vs. Noun
Remember that 'delay' can be used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to postpone or slow down something. As a noun, it refers to the period of time when something is postponed or slowed down.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'delayen', from Old French 'delayer', from Latin 'dilatare' meaning 'to widen, spread out'.
Usage Notes
The word 'delay' can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means to postpone or slow down something. As a noun, it refers to the period of time when something is postponed or slowed down.
Word Breakdown
de-
from, away from
prefix-lay
to place or put
root-ed
past tense or past participle
suffixEnglish Dictionary