Overdue

Overdue is an adjective used to describe something that should have been completed, returned, or paid by a specified due date but has not yet been. The overdue status signals lateness relative to a schedule, and the implications depend on the context and governing rules.

In financial contexts, an overdue payment is one that has not been made by the agreed due date. Overdue balances can incur late fees or interest, may affect credit reports, and can lead to collection actions or service interruptions. In lending, an overdue loan payment can increase the risk of default and trigger stricter remedies in loan agreements.

In libraries and rental services, overdue items such as books or equipment accrue fines and may block further borrowing or lead to replacement charges. In many systems, reminders are issued to recover overdue items and restore normal borrowing privileges once the items are returned.

In project management and operations, overdue tasks or deliveries indicate work that has not been completed on time, risking schedule delays, budget overruns, or resource reallocations. Organizations often use overdue indicators to adjust priorities, reallocate resources, or re-baseline plans.

A distinction is sometimes drawn between overdue and delinquent. Overdue refers to a date that has passed without meeting the obligation, while delinquent describes a debtor who is behind on payments and may trigger formal collection actions. Remedies for overdue items typically include reminders, revised timelines, or penalties, depending on the policy in place.