Delay
/dɪˈleɪ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo postpone an action, event, or process.
/dɪˈleɪ/
To postpone or put off to a later time.
I had to delay my trip because of the storm.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're supposed to watch a movie tonight, but you decide to watch it tomorrow instead. That's a delay!
👶 For kids: To wait to do something until later.
More Examples
The doctor delayed the surgery until the patient's condition improved.
Don't delay; start working on your assignment now.
How It's Used
"The train was delayed due to a signal failure."
"We need to delay the project launch until next quarter."
The act of delaying or the state of being delayed.
/dɪˈleɪ/
The act of delaying; a period of time by which something is delayed.
The delay caused frustration among the passengers.
💡 Simply: When you're waiting for something to happen longer than expected, that's a delay. Like when your food is late at the restaurant.
👶 For kids: When you have to wait for a long time.
More Examples
We apologize for the delay in responding to your email.
The construction project suffered several delays.
How It's Used
"There was a significant delay in the delivery of the goods."
"The flight experienced a two-hour delay."
Idioms & expressions
without delay
Immediately; as quickly as possible.
"Please respond to this email without delay."
delay the inevitable
To postpone something that is bound to happen; to try to avoid something that is certain to happen.
"He knew he had to pay the taxes eventually, but he kept trying to delay the inevitable."
From Old French *delaier* 'to put off, defer', from *des-* (expressing reversal or negation) + *laier* 'to leave'.
The word 'delay' has been used in English since the 13th century, evolving from its Old French roots.
Memory tip
Imagine putting a 'lay' of time between the present and an event.