latency
/ˈleɪ.tən.si/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Latency is the delay before something starts to work or before you notice a result. It is often used in computing, medicine, and science.
- The game feels slow because of high latency.
- Low latency is important for video calls.
- There can be a delay between infection and symptoms.
Adinary Nuance
Latency is similar to delay, but it is more technical. People use delay in everyday speech, while latency is common in computing, networks, and science. It often means the time gap before a system responds, not just any wait. In medical writing, it can mean the hidden time before symptoms appear.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- độ trễ
- Spanish
- latencia
- Chinese
- 延迟
- Japanese
- 遅延
- Korean
- 지연
Etymology
Latency comes from Latin latens, meaning 'lying hidden'. It entered English through scientific and medical use, especially in the 19th century.
Common phrases
low latencyhigh latencylatency periodlatency issues
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is latency the same as delay?
- Not exactly. Delay is general, while latency is more technical and often means response time.
- Is latency used in everyday English?
- Not much. It is more common in technology, engineering, medicine, and academic writing.
- What does low latency mean?
- Low latency means very little delay. It is good for games, calls, and live streaming.
- Can latency be used in medicine?
- Yes. It can mean the time before symptoms, effects, or a condition appear.