adjective

belated

belated, late, delayed

She sent me a belated birthday card.

She sent me a belated birthday card.

He made a belated apology for his mistake.

He made a belated apology for his mistake.

((a belated sth.)) something that is late. He offered a belated apology.

Synonyms: delayed, overdue, tardy; Antonyms: early, timely, punctual

From the prefix 'be-' (here, intensive) + 'lated' (from late). Literally means 'made late'.

Think of it as 'be-LATE-d'. The word itself tells you it's about being late.

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