easy
Rain caused a delay in practice.
What does Delay mean?
Delay means waiting longer than planned.
Dictionary definition
A wait or slowdown in progress, or to make something happen later.
Example sentences
Delay in a sentence
medium
Do not delay starting your project.
hard
Even a short delay can affect a team schedule.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice delay in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Delay
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does delay mean?
Delay means waiting longer than planned.
Practice 2
Which choice is closest in meaning to delay?
The choice "postpone" is closest in meaning because delay means waiting longer than planned.
Practice 3
Which choice is the best antonym or contrast for delay?
The choice "advance" is a strong contrast because delay means waiting longer than planned.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Delay
Voice settings
Sounds like
dih · lay · strongest beat: lay
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordDelay.
Partnoun, verb.
MeaningDelay means waiting longer than planned.
ExampleExample: Rain caused a delay in practice.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dih · lay
- Strongest beat
- lay
- Ending
- lay
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on lay.
Your turn
Say Delay
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced delay.
Synonyms
Words like Delay
postponeUse when moving something to a later time.
hold upUse for slowing progress unexpectedly.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice delay synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "A delay made the bus arrive late," then compare close word choices. Practice delay synonyms.
Word family
Delay word family
Base word
delay
adjective
delayed
Happening later than expected.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Delay
Hint for students
A delay is a wait or a late start. To delay means to make something happen later.
Common mix-up
Delay is not the same as cancel. A delayed event happens later; a canceled event does not happen.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows delay without using the word delay. Model sentence: The train arrived thirty minutes late because of the storm. Clue words: arrived, thirty minutes late, storm Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show something happening later than planned?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: 'The snowstorm caused a delay in the bus schedule.' Why does delay fit better than shortcut?
Learning activities
Practice Delay and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice DELAY” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice DELAY
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with DELAY
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words