/ ˈtɑːdi; NAmE ˈtɑːrdi/ adjective
tardy (in doing sth) ( formal ) slow to act, move or happen; late in happening or arriving :
The law is often tardy in reacting to changing attitudes.
people who are tardy in paying their bills
( NAmE )
to be tardy for school
► tar·dily / ˈtɑːdɪli; NAmE ˈtɑːrd-/ adverb
► tar·di·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French tardif , -ive , from Latin tardus slow.