delay
cause to be slowed down or delayed
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,072 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 8,593 times across 155,168 chapters — 0.004% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- cause to be slowed down or delayed also: detain, hold up Traffic was delayed by the bad weathershe delayed the work that she didn't want to perform
- act later than planned, scheduled, or required Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered
- stop or halt also: stay, detain Please stay the bloodshed!
- slow the growth or development of also: check, retard The brain damage will retard the child's language development
noun
- time during which some action is awaited also: hold, time lag, postponement, wait instant replay caused too long a delayhe ordered a hold in the action
- the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time also: holdup
delay in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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That delay over, good-by: he can find board and lodging where he please.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Ye traitorous floods, why nil your floats delay Until my latest moans discoursed be?
Elizabethan Sonnet Cycles: Phillis - Licia · Martha Foote [Editor] Crow · Chapter 1
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The paramours of the wooers are hanged, and Odysseus, after some delay, is recognised by Penelope.
The Odyssey of Homer · 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer · Chapter 1
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You must cut the branch on which it is sitting, and bring it back to me without delay.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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Now why do we delay? he asked Azariah, who reminded him--and somewhat tritely--that he had not yet said good-bye to his parents.
The Brook Kerith: A Syrian story · George Moore · Chapter 1