Overdue
/ˌoʊvərˈduː/
Definitions
2 meaningsPast the date or time by which something should have been done or paid.
/ˌoʊvərˈduː/
Past the scheduled time or deadline
The rent payment is overdue.
💡 Simply: Imagine you borrowed a book from the library, and the date to give it back has already passed. That means the book is 'overdue'! It's past the time it was supposed to be returned.
👶 For kids: When something is overdue, it means it's late! Like when your bedtime is overdue.
More Examples
My library book is overdue and I need to return it.
The project is already overdue, and we need to finish it quickly.
How It's Used
"The bill is overdue by a week."
"The library books were overdue, so she had to pay a fine."
"She was overdue with her pregnancy."
Deserving of a reward, recognition or similar; often used to describe feelings or outcomes that were delayed.
/ˌoʊvərˈduː/
Deserving of something expected or owed
She felt an overdue sense of accomplishment after finishing the marathon.
💡 Simply: Sometimes good things happen, but it takes a while for the feeling to catch up. So if you are happy about something that happened a long time ago, your happiness is 'overdue'.
👶 For kids: When something good happens, and you've been waiting for it a long time, like a surprise you know is coming!
More Examples
The team celebrated an overdue victory after a tough season.
He felt an overdue sense of relief after his doctor declared him healthy.
How It's Used
"He felt an overdue sense of relaxation after the exam."
"The team deserved an overdue victory."
From 'over' (beyond the limit) + 'due' (owed or expected). Originally referred to payments past the deadline.
The word 'overdue' initially appeared in the 17th century, primarily in the context of financial obligations and legal contexts before expanding its meaning.
Memory tip
Think of a due date, and 'overdue' means it's already passed.