demoró

Demoró is the third-person singular form of the preterite tense of the Spanish verb demorar, meaning to delay or to take longer than expected. It is used in narrative or reporting to indicate that a person, object, or process caused a delay in the past. The verb demorar can also be used transitively (demorar algo) or in reflexive form (demorarse), depending on whether the emphasis is on delaying something else or on delaying oneself.

Etymology and morphology: Demorar derives from the Latin morāre, meaning to tarry or delay, with the Spanish prefix de- contributing to the sense of causing a delay. The form demoró marks the third person singular in the pretérito perfecto simple (past simple) in dialects of Spanish.

Usage notes: Demoró is common in everyday Spanish as well as in formal writing. It conveys a neutral to slightly formal tone. It often appears with time measurements, events, or commitments, as in describing delays to schedules, deliveries, or procedures. In many contexts, synonyms include tardó, retrasó, or hizo esperar, though cada synonym carries subtle nuance in emphasis or formality.

Examples:

- El tren demoró tres horas debido a la tormenta.

- La reunión demoró más de lo previsto en comenzar.

Cross-linguistic note: In Portuguese, the corresponding past tense form is demorou, used with the same general meaning. The accent and spelling differ between Spanish and Portuguese, reflecting their distinct orthographies.

See also: demorar, tardar, retrasar, demorar(se).