delay — to make something happen at a later time than originally planned
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make something happen at a later time than originally planned
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈleɪ/
Example Sentences
- My alarm clock decided to delay its wake-up call, so I'm fashionably late to everything today.
- Please don't delay your homework until the last minute.
- The pizza delivery was delayed because the driver got lost in our maze-like apartment complex.
delay
VERB[/dɪˈleɪ/]
to make something happen at a later time than originally planned
The storm caused a long delay just before the flight was supposed to depart.
A small technical problem delayed the launch for several hours. (delay = DOWN + late → when systems go DOWN, everything becomes LATE)
The repeated delay forced the team into endless replay while the system slowly began to decay.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old French delay, composed of the prefix de- (away) and laier (to leave). Originally meaning 'to put away' or 'to leave behind', the term evolved to describe the concept of postponing action, eventually acquiring its modern sense of 'postponement' or 'causing to be late'.
Breakdown
de- (away, off) + laier (to leave, abandon). The prefix de- indicates separation or reversal, while laier comes from Latin laxa(re), meaning to loosen or leave.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My alarm clock decided to delay its wake-up call, so I'm fashionably late to everything today.”
“Please don't delay your homework until the last minute.”
“The pizza delivery was delayed because the driver got lost in our maze-like apartment complex.”
“Any delay in treatment could be dangerous for the patient.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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