tardiness
noun
tar·di·ness
ˈtär-dē-nəs 
: the quality or state of being tardy or late
Students might be sent to Saturday school for any of various infractions, such as tardiness, truancy, smoking, failure to deliver class-work, or creating a disturbance.—
Anne H. Soukhanov
Anne H. SoukhanovWhat you really need is a story that will not only excuse tardiness but encourage your boss to give you the entire day off.—Jeff Foxworthy
Jeff FoxworthyHis habitual tardiness got him fired from job after job, yet he couldn't see the consequences of his actions.—June Kinoshita
June Kinoshita
Examples of tardiness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To curb tardiness and chronic absenteeism, Ms. Zapata has been making home visits.
—Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024
Eventually, the perpetual tardiness led to a confrontation with his co-star.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
According to Halle, the Perfect Nails owner kept asking about her sister’s tardiness and said they were booked for the day.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2024
The legislation Newsom signed into law, SB 274, also will prohibit the suspension and expulsion of students due to tardiness or truancy.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2023
Wiman reminded his class of the punishment for tardiness—memorizing a sonnet—then turned to that week’s readings, which were about love.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
Both his bandmates and audience, citing his erratic nature and increasing tardiness at concerts, began to turn on him.
—Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
When students arrive late, parents are expected provide a reason for their tardiness on a sign-in sheet.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Nicki Minaj is still feeling regretful over her tardiness.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2023
Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024
Eventually, the perpetual tardiness led to a confrontation with his co-star.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
According to Halle, the Perfect Nails owner kept asking about her sister’s tardiness and said they were booked for the day.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2024
The legislation Newsom signed into law, SB 274, also will prohibit the suspension and expulsion of students due to tardiness or truancy.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2023
Wiman reminded his class of the punishment for tardiness—memorizing a sonnet—then turned to that week’s readings, which were about love.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
Both his bandmates and audience, citing his erratic nature and increasing tardiness at concerts, began to turn on him.
—Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
When students arrive late, parents are expected provide a reason for their tardiness on a sign-in sheet.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Nicki Minaj is still feeling regretful over her tardiness.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tardiness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1608, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near tardiness
Cite this Entry
“Tardiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tardiness. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on tardiness
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share