belatedly

Belatedly is an adverb meaning occurring later than expected or desired. It describes actions, acknowledgments, or events that arrive after the appropriate time. Common usages include belated birthday wishes and belated apologies, where the lateness of the gesture is emphasized rather than the content of the gesture itself.

Etymology and form: the adverb is derived from belated, which comes from be- plus late, with the -ly suffix to indicate an adverb. The term is established in English and reflects the idea of something delayed or occurring after the proper time.

Usage notes: belatedly can modify a verb directly, as in “She belatedly apologized,” or apply to a realization or acknowledgment, as in “They belatedly realized the mistake.” The word tends to carry a neutral or mildly apologetic tone, and is more formal than simply “late” in many contexts. It is less common in everyday speech than “late” and is often used in writing.

Related terms and nuance: belated (the adjective) describes the late event or gesture itself, while belatedly emphasizes the lateness as it accompanies the action. Synonyms such as tardy, overdue, or delayed convey timing with varying nuance. In everyday use, belatedly signals not just lateness but a gesture made after the fact, sometimes with a sense of politeness, embarrassment, or regret.