belatedly

/bɪˈleɪtɪdli/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈleɪtɪdli/ (ame, ipa)

belatedly — adverb

1. only after the proper or expected time has already passed

1.副詞C1
釋義

only after the proper or expected time has already passed

例句

Nora belatedly sent her aunt a thank-you card after finding it in her coat pocket.

belatedly + send after the right moment has passed

After the lights came on, Zayd belatedly realized his passport was still on the train.

belatedly realize when the understanding comes too late

同義詞
  • late

    plainer and broader; it marks delay without the same tone of missed timing

  • afterward

    shows sequence only, not that something should have happened sooner

  • eventually

    focuses on the final result after some delay, often without criticism

  • tardily

    more formal and much rarer in everyday English

反義詞
  • promptly

    shows that something is done without delay

  • on time

    focuses on happening at the expected moment

文法句型

subject + belatedly + verb

belatedly + apologize / realize / announce / act

用法筆記

Often used with verbs such as apologize, realize, announce, acknowledge, or act. It usually implies mild criticism or regret because the action happens after the useful moment has already gone.

常見錯誤

❌The bus arrived belatedly at 8:10.
✅The bus arrived late at 8:10.
💡'Belatedly' usually describes doing or realizing something after the right time, not simple delay in arrival.
❌She sent a belatedly apology after the wedding.
✅She sent a belated apology after the wedding.
💡Before a noun, use the adjective 'belated', not the adverb 'belatedly'.