delay
verb/dɪˈleɪ/
/dɪˈleɪ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they delay | /dɪˈleɪ/ /dɪˈleɪ/ |
| he / she / it delays | /dɪˈleɪz/ /dɪˈleɪz/ |
| past simple delayed | /dɪˈleɪd/ /dɪˈleɪd/ |
| past participle delayed | /dɪˈleɪd/ /dɪˈleɪd/ |
| -ing form delaying | /dɪˈleɪɪŋ/ /dɪˈleɪɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] delay somebody/something to make somebody/something late or force them to do something more slowly
- My flight was delayed.
- Thousands of commuters were delayed for over an hour.
- The government is accused of using delaying tactics (= deliberately doing something to delay a process, decision, etc.).
- What could have delayed him?
Extra Examples- Mellanby's arrival was seriously delayed by a late train.
- The train had been unavoidably delayed after a small avalanche blocked the line.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- seriously
- significantly
- substantially
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to not do something until a later time or to make something happen at a later time synonym defer
- Don't delay—call us today!
- We can't delay much longer.
- delay something Heavy hail showers delayed the start of the race.
- to delay the launch/release/publication of something
- She's suffering a delayed reaction (= a reaction that did not happen immediately) to the shock.
- delay something until… The judge will delay his verdict until he receives medical reports on the offender.
- delay doing something He delayed telling her the news, waiting for the right moment.
More Like This Verbs usually followed by -ing formsVerbs usually followed by -ing formsExtra Examples- These drugs can significantly delay the onset of the disease.
- The conservative coalition could delay further reforms or block them altogether.
- These arguments will inevitably delay the start of construction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- seriously
- significantly
- substantially
- …
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French delayer (verb).
Check pronunciation:
delay