Wordul · all words

adjective · 2 syllables · /ˈtɑːrdi/

TARDY

What does "TARDY" mean?

Late; delayed beyond the expected or proper time.

Meanings

  1. Arriving or happening later than expected or required. Three tardy arrivals earned him a detention.
  2. Slow in action, movement, or response. The committee's tardy reply cost them the contract. formal

Did you know?

  • The tardigrade - the microscopic 'water bear' that survives outer space - shares its root with 'tardy': its name means 'slow-stepper', from Latin 'tardus' plus 'gradi' (to step).

Word origin

From Latin 'tardus' meaning 'slow, sluggish', via Old French 'tardif'; the same root gives 'retard' and 'tardigrade' (the slow-stepping water bear).

Remember it

TARDY: you're so late you 'tarry' too long - both come from the same slow Latin root.

A little poem

The bell already
a memory in the hall-
his shadow arrives.

haiku

Wordplay

  • The water bear was always tardy. It just couldn't help being a slow-stepper.

What it teaches

Lateness is rarely about the clock; it's a quiet statement about whose time you value.

Quick facts

What does TARDY mean?

Late; delayed beyond the expected or proper time.

Is TARDY a valid word?

Yes — TARDY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is TARDY?

TARDY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.

Where does TARDY come from?

From Latin 'tardus' meaning 'slow, sluggish', via Old French 'tardif'; the same root gives 'retard' and 'tardigrade' (the slow-stepping water bear).

What can TARDY teach us?

Lateness is rarely about the clock; it's a quiet statement about whose time you value.

How players do

Be the first to solve it.

Play today's Wordul →