delay

delay — verb

1. to change the time of a planned event so that it takes place further in the futu

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to change the time of a planned event so that it takes place further in the future than originally arranged

Example

The airline delayed the flight until the next morning because of thick fog.

collocation: delay + flight

Darius delayed his decision for another week while he reviewed the contract.

delay + decision / noun phrase object

Common collocations
  • delay a decision
  • delay the start
  • delay payment
  • delay a meeting
  • delay the launch
Synonyms
  • postpone

    more formal; preferred when naming the new date or time

  • put off

    informal, common in everyday conversation (B2)

  • reschedule

    neutral; suggests arranging a new time rather than just making it later

Antonyms
  • bring forward

    moves something to an earlier time (B2 phrasal verb)

  • advance

    formal, used in scheduling (C1)

Grammar Patterns

delay + noun phrase

delay + gerund

Usage Note

Frequently used with a time expression ("by two hours", "until next week") to specify how long or until when the event is moved.

Common Mistakes

The meeting was delayed to next Friday.
The meeting was postponed to next Friday.
'delay' describes how late something is; 'postpone' is preferred when giving a specific new date.

2. to cause a person, vehicle, or process to move more slowly or arrive later than

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to cause a person, vehicle, or process to move more slowly or arrive later than planned

Example

A flat tyre delayed Eri on the drive to the airport.

delay + person + on [path/route]

The delivery was delayed by three hours because of a problem at the warehouse.

passive: be delayed by [cause] + [time]

Common collocations
  • delayed by traffic
  • delayed by weather
  • delayed flight
  • delayed by paperwork
  • delayed by a phone call
Synonyms
  • hold up

    informal phrasal verb with the same meaning (B2)

  • slow down

    focuses on reducing speed, not necessarily making late (B1)

  • hinder

    formal; suggests obstruction rather than lateness (C1)

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

delay + noun phrase (someone/something)

be delayed by [cause]

Usage Note

The cause of the delay is typically introduced by 'by' (delayed by traffic), 'because of', or 'due to'. The passive voice is very common in this sense.

Common Mistakes

My husband delayed me this morning.
My husband delayed me this morning.' is grammatically correct but unusual
more natural: 'I was delayed by my husband this morning.' — the passive voice sounds more natural when a person is the subject of 'delay'.

3. to wait before doing something although you have no good reason to wait, often b

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to wait before doing something although you have no good reason to wait, often because the task is unpleasant or difficult

Example

Astrid delayed before giving her answer to the job offer.

delay + before + gerund

The government delayed too long, and the crisis became much worse.

Common collocations
  • delay in responding
  • delay before acting
  • delay in making a decision
  • delay for weeks
Synonyms
  • procrastinate

    more formal; strongly implies laziness or avoidance (C1)

  • hesitate

    suggests uncertainty or fear, not laziness (B2)

  • dally

    old-fashioned or literary; implies wasting time (C2)

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

delay (in) + gerund

delay before + gerund

Usage Note

This sense is intransitive — there is no direct object. The structure is 'delay in + gerund' or 'delay before + gerund'. In commands and warnings, 'delay' can stand alone: 'Don't delay!'

Common Mistakes

She delayed to see a doctor.
She delayed seeing a doctor.
'delay' takes a gerund (-ing form), not a to-infinitive.
He delayed his homework' (when meaning he was slow to start).
He delayed doing his homework.
This sense is intransitive; use a gerund after 'delay'.

delay — noun

Word family

  • delayed
    adjectiveB1
  • delaying
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making something happen later, but they differ in formality and emphasis. 'Delay' is neutral and often implies the event is pushed back for an external reason — it does not promise a new date. 'Postpone' is more formal and strongly suggests a new date will be announced or is already set. 'Put off' is informal and everyday: 'I put off doing the laundry.' It can also imply reluctance. 'Reschedule' is neutral and focuses on finding a new time: 'Let's reschedule the meeting.' In professional writing, 'postpone' and 'reschedule' are preferred; in casual speech, 'put off' is common. Example: 'The concert was postponed to June 5th' (new date given) vs. 'The concert was delayed due to rain' (no fixed new date).

postpone ↗put off ↗rescheduledelay ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • delay time
  • delay period
  • delay notice

Adverbs

  • significantly delayed
  • slightly delayed
  • badly delayed
  • seriously delayed

Phrases

  • without delay
  • after a delay
  • with no delay

Prepositions

  • delay in
  • delay by
  • delay until
  • delay for
  • delay before

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'delay' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'delaier', meaning 'to put off'. This came from Latin 'dilatare', a combination of 'dis-' (apart) and 'latus' (wide), so the original image was of 'spreading apart' or 'extending' — like stretching time out. The sense of 'making someone late' developed in Middle English.