belated
/bɪˈleɪtɪd
/adjective
Coming or happening later than should have been the case: a belated apology...
- Of course, apologies followed, and at five to three the belated ceremony was commenced to the relief of all concerned.
- The move is long overdue and it's mostly belated good news for shareholders.
- Though belated, the announcement went down well with the workers both permanent and temporary.
Synonyms
late, overdue, behindhand, behind time, not on time, behind schedule, delayed, running late, tardy, unpunctual
Derivatives
belatedness
- I apologise for the belatedness, because these correspondents were ahead of the curve.
- He did not have before him the example of Taylor's belatedness.
- I apologize for my belatedness, but you seemed to have managed just fine on your own.
Origin
Early 17th century (in the sense 'overtaken by darkness'): past participle of obsolete belate 'delay' (see be-, late).