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

• behind
• behindhand
• belated
• delinquent
• late
• latish
• tardy

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

Those are the numbers attached to a 6-year-old cat named Mia, a slightly temperamental girl who is long overdue to find that special someone who will give her another chance at a comfortable life, an Indiana shelter says. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025

Drop a comment with your thoughts on the cast of All Stars 10, as well as these (long overdue) changes to the show’s format. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 23 Apr. 2025

The transfer portal is much-needed and has been long overdue. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

But time has apparently healed old wounds — and brought a long overdue confrontation. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 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