Belated
/bɪˈleɪtɪd/
adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Having been delayed past the expected, appropriate, or usual time.
/bɪˈleɪtɪd/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
General
Delayed or arriving late
My belated Christmas card finally arrived in February.
💡 Simply: Coming late or after it should have happened.
More Examples
2
She received a belated congratulatory email.
How It's Used
General
"He offered a belated apology for his mistake."
Celebrations
"We had a belated birthday celebration for her."
From Middle English *belated, from be- + late.
The word has been used since Middle English, largely retaining its core meaning of delayed.
Memory tip
Think of being 'late' but with a 'be-' prefix emphasizing the lateness.
Practice
Base: late
belatedlybelaitted
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written