unpunctual

/ʌnˈpʌŋk.tju.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈpʌŋk.tʃu.əl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈpəŋk-chə-wəl -chəl/ (ame, mw)

unpunctual — adjective

  • unpunctualpositive
  • more unpunctualcomparative
  • most unpunctualsuperlative

1. tending to arrive later than the time arranged, or happening after the scheduled

1.形容詞B1
釋義

tending to arrive later than the time arranged, or happening after the scheduled moment

例句

Tomás was often unpunctual for work, arriving ten minutes after every team meeting began.

collocation: unpunctual for [event]

Bilal's unpunctual habit made his manager doubt whether he was serious about the job.

同義詞
  • late

    more general; works for both single events and habits; less formal

  • belated

    formal, used for events or actions (not people); e.g. a belated birthday wish

  • overdue

    for deadlines, payments, or library books; not for people's arrival

反義詞
  • punctual

    the direct opposite; arriving at the expected time

  • prompt

    slightly more formal, often used for service or responses

  • on time

    informal and common; describes both people and events

用法筆記

Commonly describes a person's habit or character rather than a single late occurrence. For one isolated event, 'late' is more natural: 'I'm sorry I'm late' (not *unpunctual).

常見錯誤

❌I'm sorry I'm unpunctual.' (for a single missed start time)
✅I'm sorry I'm late.
💡unpunctual describes a regular behaviour pattern, not one occasion.
❌She is unpunctual at parties last night.
✅She was late to the party last night.
💡tense mismatch