delay

intermediateB1

/dɪˈleɪ/ · de-lay

To cause something to happen later than it should.

Meanings

verbformal

To cause something to happen later than it should.

کسی چیز کو اس کے مقررہ وقت سے بعد میں ہونے کا سبب بنانا۔

تاخیر

taakhir

Synonyms

postponedeferstallمؤخر کرناروکناکم کرنا

Antonyms

advancehastenexpediteآگے بڑھاناتیز کرناجلدی کرنا

Common Collocations

  • delay the meeting
  • delay a decision
  • delay payment

Example Sentences

They had to delay the flight due to bad weather.

انہیں خراب موسم کی وجہ سے پرواز میں تاخیر کرنی پڑی۔

Unhein kharab mausam ki wajah se purwaz mein taakhir karni pari.

The project was delayed by several months.

منصوبے میں کئی مہینے کی تاخیر ہوئی۔

Mansoobay mein kai mahinay ki taakhir hui.

We cannot delay our plans any longer.

ہم اپنے منصوبوں میں مزید تاخیر نہیں کر سکتے۔

Hum apne mansoobon mein mazeed taakhir nahi kar sakte.

Easily Confused With

relate:To relate is to show or make a connection, while to delay is to postpone something.

Word Family

delayed
adjectiveمؤخر شدہ
delaying
verbتاخیر کرنا

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of a clock that is ticking away while you delay something.

Imagine a stopwatch with a hand stuck at a time, symbolizing delay.

✍️ Urdu Poetry

گزر گئے لمحات، اب تو کچھ کر کے دکھاؤ، کیا تاخیر ہے، جلدی آؤ، اپنی خواہشوں کا حال سناؤ۔

Guzar gaye lamhat, ab to kuch kar ke dikhao, Kya taakhir hai, jaldi aao, apni khwahishon ka haal sunao.

Moments have passed, now do something, What is the delay? Come quickly, tell the state of your desires.

Unknown, Unverified

* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.

🗣️ Urdu Proverb

تھوڑا کر کے آگے بڑھو، تاخیر مت کرو۔

Thoda kar ke agay barho, taakhir mat karo.

Proceed with what you can, do not delay.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Old French "delaier" — to postpone, defer

First known use: 14th century

The term 'delay' has evolved through the Middle English term 'delaien' and the Old French 'delaier', rooted in Latin 'diligare' meaning to restrain or defer.