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Definition of belatedly

belatedly

/bɪˈleɪtɪdli/
be · lat · ed · ly
Adjective:belated
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belatedly Lexical Profile

belatedly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Later than expected, needed, or appropriate; after a delay or past the proper time.

Example

"The committee belatedly recognized the scientist's groundbreaking contributions to renewable energy."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for belatedly

• Nearby Words

belabor
belarus
belated
belatedly
belay
belaya
belch

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the adjective 'belated', the past participle of the early 17th-century verb 'belate' (meaning to delay or detain beyond the usual time, originally to overtake with nightfall), combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Belatedly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/belatedly
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