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 White House promotes the arch as long overdue, but its cost remains unclear and the plans describe a monument with munitions storage, drone-launching capacity and a sniper’s nest. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

According to reporting by The Boston Globe, workers had gone unpaid, Matellian was carrying a $50,000 start-up loan, and the landlord wanted $3,900 in overdue rent. — Tara Knight, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

Treat Autonomy As Delegated Authority Consider a hypothetical agent assigned to resolve overdue invoices. — Lloyd Marino, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

With their respective platforms, both politicians pledged to fight for Indigenous rights and give a long-overdue voice to their community. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Nov. 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