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 of overdue

• 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

The task at hand in this specific moment is a sit-down with this reporter, followed by an overdue meeting with offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher to clean out the back of the call sheet. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Leigh carries the legacy narrative, but the film has to prove first that the work is competitive in a year crowded with filmmakers nursing overdue stories of their own. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

These belated acts of institutional integration are part of a necessary and long overdue revision of West German art history’s mechanisms of exclusion. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

The good news is that by the end of the month, your personal life (or family dynamics) will shift in a way that could feel long-overdue. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

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