delayed

Delayed is an adjective used to describe something that occurs later than planned, expected, or usual. It indicates that a postponement or hindrance affected timing. The word is derived from the verb delay and is used to describe events, processes, or signals that have not happened at the originally scheduled time.

Common contexts include transportation (a flight or train described as delayed when its departure or arrival is postponed), project management (a delayed schedule or deliverable), and communications and computing (delayed transmission, delayed execution, or latency). In science and medicine, delayed can refer to delayed onset of symptoms or to delayed-release formulations in pharmaceuticals. In everyday language, people may refer to a delayed reaction, a delayed response, or a delayed plan as requiring adjustment.

Etymology and related terms: Delayed derives from the verb delay; related forms include delay (noun) and delaying (present participle). Delays may be intentional (reschedulings) or unintentional (disruptions such as weather, technical faults). The term is generally neutral but can carry subjective connotations depending on context.