tardy

Everyday

1. Tardy means late, arriving after the right time: «Don't be tardy for class». tree →
2. Tardy means slow to act or happen. tree →
3. (USA, school) A tardy is a mark against you for arriving late, as in «I got three tardies». tree →

In the lessons

In US and Canadian schools, «tardy» is everyday school language: a «tardy bell» rings, late pupils get a «tardy slip» or «a tardy». In the UK and Australia, people mostly say «late». Phrases: «tardy slip», «tardy bell», «tardy for school».

Examples

• If you are tardy, sign in at the office. tree →
• The tardy bell rang and the hall was empty. tree →
• I got a tardy because the bus broke down. tree →
• He was tardy three times this week. tree →
• The tardy reply came weeks after the letter. tree →
• Three tardies mean a detention at our school. tree →

Note

Adjective forms: tardy, tardier, tardiest. Noun plural: «tardies». Mostly American in school use; in British English it sounds old-fashioned or formal.