US /daɪˈleɪt(ə)ɹi/ UK /ˈdɪlət(ə)ɹi/
adj Freq #162593

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

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

    A dilatory strategy.

Thesaurus

Word family
Forms dilatoriness
Derived forms bronchodilatorydilatorilydilatorinessindilatorypredilatoryundilatoryvasodilatory

Etymology

From Middle English dilatorie, from Old French dilatoire, from Latin dīlātōrius (“extending or putting off (time)”), from dīlātor, from differō. Not etymologically related to delay.

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.