Dilatory Definition

dĭlə-tôrē
adjective
Causing or tending to cause delay; meant to gain time, defer action, etc.
Webster's New World
Characterized by or given to delay or slowness.
Dilatory in his work habits.
American Heritage
Inclined to delay; slow or late in doing things.
Webster's New World

Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision.

A dilatory strategy.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Origin of Dilatory

  • Middle English dilatorie from Latin dīlātōrius from dīlātor delayer from dīlātus past participle of differre to delay dī-, dis- apart dis– lātus carried telə- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Dilatory Sentence Examples

  • The proceedings were dilatory, and the attitude of the Dutch deputies exceedingly exasperating.

  • In 1639 he was as active in arms in the north as Hamilton, on the king's side, was dilatory and helpless in the south.

  • Britain was a somewhat dilatory in providing letter boxes.

  • Incensed by the dilatory and factious proceedings of the House, Cromwell dismissed the parliament on the 22nd of January 1655.

  • Civil and criminal courts are both corrupt and dilatory.

More Sentences

Related Articles

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to dilatory using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

DDIDIL

Words Ending With

YRYORY

Unscrambles

dilatory

Words Starting With D and Ending With Y

Starts With D & Ends With YStarts With DI & Ends With YStarts With D & Ends With RY

Word Length

8 Letter Words8 Letter Words Starting With D8 Letter Words Ending With Y