overdue

Everyday

1. Something overdue has not arrived, happened or been done by the time it was expected or needed. tree →
2. An overdue library book has not been returned by the day it was due. tree →
3. (money) An overdue bill has not been paid in time. tree →
4. Overdue can mean something that should have happened long ago, as in «a change that is long overdue». tree →
5. A baby that is overdue has not been born by the expected time. tree →

In the lessons

In school life and libraries, overdue books get a reminder or a fine. In money and adult life, overdue bills cost extra. In maths, if a payment is overdue by some days, you may add a fee for each day. Phrases: «long overdue», «overdue books», «an overdue bill», «overdue for».

Examples

• My library book is overdue, so I must return it today. tree →
• The train is twenty minutes overdue. tree →
• The bill is overdue and there's a late fee. tree →
• A holiday for Mum is long overdue! tree →
• The baby was a week overdue. tree →
• The rule change was long overdue. tree →
• The fine is ten pence for each day the book is overdue. tree →

Note

Adjective; it can come after the verb (the book is overdue) or before a noun (an overdue book). «Over» + «due». Not the same as «overdo» (to do too much). Maths: total fine = daily fine × number of overdue days.