o ‧ ver ‧ due /ˌəʊvəˈdjuː◂ $ ˌoʊvərˈduː◂/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . not done, paid, returned etc by the time expected:
an overdue gas bill
The library books are overdue.
The baby was a week overdue (=it was expected to be born a week ago) .
2 . something that is overdue should have happened or been done a long time ago
overdue for
He was overdue for a shave.
We welcome this announcement and think it’s long overdue.
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THESAURUS
▪ late arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged:
Sorry I’m late.
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The bus was late.
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Spring seems to be very late this year.
▪ not on time not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged:
He never hands his homework in on time.
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If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
▪ overdue not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned:
Your rent is three weeks overdue.
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I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
▪ be behind with something British English , be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do:
I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
▪ be held up to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic:
I was held up by a traffic jam.
▪ be delayed to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport:
The flight was delayed by bad weather.
▪ belated /bɪˈleɪtəd, bɪˈleɪtɪd/ given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do:
a belated birthday card
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I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
▪ tardy especially American English formal arriving or happening late:
a habitually tardy person
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a tardy decision
▪ be in arrears /əˈrɪəz $ əˈrɪrz/ formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should:
One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.