Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - tardy

(tardier, tardiest) 1. If you describe something or someone as tardy, you think that they are later than they should be or later than expected. (LITERARY) He wept for the loss of his mother and his tardy recognition of her affection... ADJ • tardiness His legendary tardiness left audiences waiting for hours. N-UNCOUNT 2. If you describe someone or something as tardy, you are criticizing them because they are slow to act. ...companies who are tardy in paying bills... ADJ: oft ADJ in -ing/n c darkgreen]disapproval • tardiness ...England’s tardiness in giving talented young players greater international experience. N-UNCOUNT: oft N in -ing/n