overdue

adjective

over·​due ˌō-vər-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü

1

a

: unpaid when due

an overdue bill

b

: delayed beyond an appointed time

an overdue train

overdue library books

2

: too great : excessive

an overdue share of the profits

3

: more than ready

overdue for a haircut

Synonyms

• delayed
• belated
• delinquent
• late
• tardy
• behind

Examples of overdue in a Sentence

She reminded him that the rent was overdue.

He has many overdue bills.

The train is 10 minutes overdue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cannabinoid science is overdue for a new taxonomy, one that recognizes these compounds as classes, not single chemicals, with CBG perhaps not as a minor member but as a category-defining origin point. —Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025

Long overdue deregulation in Europe opening up an opportunity in banks such as Barclays. —John Melloy, CNBC, 24 June 2025

Intelligent workflows let teams focus on what matters, not just what’s overdue. —Carlos Vega, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

But biomedical science is overdue for a paradigm shift on animal research. —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overdue

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

overdue

adjective

over·​due ˌō-vər-ˈd(y)ü 

1

a

: unpaid when due

overdue bills

b

: not appearing or presented on time

an overdue train

an overdue book

2

: more than ready

a country overdue for governmental reform