overdue
/əʊvəˈdjuː
/adjective
1Not having arrived, happened, or been done by the expected time: the rent was nearly three months overdue overdue bills...
- But when the masterpiece arrives, 37 years overdue, can it live up to its own myth?
- The train to Central City had yet arrive and was overdue.
- This resignation was, I believe, widely expected and arguably long overdue.
Synonyms
late, not on time, behind schedule, behindhand, behind time, long-overdue, long-delayed, delayed, belated, tardy, unpunctual
unpaid, unsettled, owing, owed, to be paid, payable, receivable, due, outstanding, undischarged, in arrears, in the red;
North American delinquent, past due
1.1(Of a woman) not having had a menstrual period at the expected time: I was already a week-and-a-half overdue...
- I'm about three weeks overdue for my monthly snuffles, I reckon.
1.2(Of a baby) not having been born by the expected time: our daughter was six days overdue...
- Still, the other girl's baby wasn't overdue so it appears to be the luck of the draw no matter what way you give birth.
- She was born two weeks overdue at 10.08 am on January 29.
- It was thirteen years ago today that Lauren said: this baby is overdue, overdue, we might have to try castor oil now!
1.3(Of a library book) retained longer than the period allowed.As I sat on the bus to university this night (late night mission to return some very overdue library books), I realised that I have a rule....
- He says from now on they will not have to pay fines on their overdue library books, they cannot be arrested for being drunk and disorderly and they get free parking.
- I'll be returning those overdue library books sharpish.
2Having been needed for some time: reform is now overdue...
- Restructuring or increased regulation of the industry might be overdue.
- Baillie's recent return to the form he showed in his youth is overdue.
- Despite the financial uncertainty at the club, a contract offer seems overdue.
2.1Having deserved or needed something for some time: she was overdue for some leave...
- This arcane system is now well overdue for reform.
- Our 11 o'clock drinking curfew is antiquated and overdue for reform.
- The international laws that served us in the aftermath of the Second World War are overdue for reform.