dilatory
/ˈdɪl.ə.tər.i/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Slow to act or do something, often in a way that causes delay. It is a formal word, often used in writing.
- The company was dilatory in replying to the complaint.
- His dilatory response frustrated the whole team.
- They blamed the delay on dilatory procedures.
Adinary Nuance
Dilatory is more formal than slow, late, or delayed. It often suggests a bad habit of wasting time or avoiding action, not just moving slowly. Writers use it when they want to criticize the delay, especially in formal or legal contexts.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chậm trễ
- Spanish
- dilatorio
- Chinese
- 拖延的
- Japanese
- 遅延の
- Korean
- 지연하는
Etymology
From Latin dilatorius, from dilatare meaning “to delay.” It entered English in the late 16th century and has stayed mostly formal.
Common phrases
dilatory tacticsdilatory responsedilatory conductdilatory in replying
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is dilatory a formal word?
- Yes. It is mainly used in formal writing, including business, legal, and academic English.
- Is dilatory the same as slow?
- Not exactly. Dilatory suggests an avoidable delay, often with a negative judgment.
- Can I use dilatory in everyday conversation?
- You can, but it may sound stiff or overly formal. Slow or late sounds more natural in speech.