Dilatory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈdi-lə-ˌtȯr-ē/ dil·a·to·ry

Meaning & Definition of Dilatory

Dilatory (adjective)

  1. tending or intended to cause delay
  2. characterized by procrastination, tardy

Dilatory (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed

    "the homeowner is claiming that local firefighters were dilatory in responding to the call"

    similar: crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, sluggish, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried
    related: deliberate, measured, inactive, inert, lethargic, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling
    opposite: barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind, whisking, zipping
    near: expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dilatory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dilatory:

crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid, leisurely, poking, poky, slow, sluggish, snail-paced, snaillike, tardy, unhurried

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dilatory

Words with the opposite meaning of Dilatory:

barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy, fast, fleet, flying, hasty, hurrying, lightning, meteoric, quick, racing, rapid, rocketing, running, rushing, scooting, scudding, scurrying, snappy, speeding, speedy, swift, warp-speed, whirling, whirlwind

Related Words for Dilatory

deliberate, measured, inactive, inert, lethargic, loafing, lounging, lingering, loitering, tarrying, ambling, heavy-footed, inching, plodding, shuffling, slow-footed, strolling, decelerating, slowing, filibustering, procrastinating, stalling

Near Antonyms of Dilatory

expeditious, prompt, ready, accelerated, hastened, quickened, hurried, rushed

Word Forms of Dilatory

Derived words: dilatorily (adverb), dilatoriness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dilatory

Middle English, from Anglo-French dilatorie, Late Latin dilatorius, from Latin differre (past participle dilatus) to postpone, differ differ, tolerate

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dilatory

Frequently Asked Questions about Dilatory

What does "Dilatory" mean?

"Dilatory" means tending or intended to cause delay. As an adjective, it is defined as: tending or intended to cause delay.

What is another word for "Dilatory"?

Other words for "Dilatory" include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard and lagging. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dilatory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dilatory"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dilatory". Common alternatives include crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, languid and leisurely.

What is the opposite of "Dilatory"?

Antonyms of "Dilatory" include barreling, bolting, breakneck, breathless, brisk, careering, dizzy and fast. Near antonyms include expeditious, prompt, ready and accelerated.

How do you use "Dilatory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dilatory" in a sentence: "the homeowner is claiming that local firefighters were dilatory in responding to the call".

Is "Dilatory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dilatory" is an adjective.

Is "Dilatory" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Dilatory" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Dilatory"?

"Dilatory" is pronounced /ˈdi-lə-ˌtȯr-ē/ and divided into syllables as dil·a·to·ry.