Being late is something we all encounter, whether it’s a friend, a colleague, or even ourselves. Some people seem to have a knack for showing up after the agreed-upon time, no matter the occasion.
Explore words for people who are always late! From playful terms to formal expressions, expand your vocabulary and describe tardiness creatively in any context.
A must-read for language enthusiasts and effective communicators!
There are many words to describe people who are habitually late, ranging from light-hearted to more critical.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 words that capture the essence of those who are always running behind, complete with examples and scenarios to show how each term can be applied in real-life situations.
Top List Of “words for people who are always late”
- Tardy
- Chronically Late
- Unpunctual
- Latecomer
- Behind Schedule
- Delayed
- Habitually Late
- Time-Challenged
- Lagging
- Procrastinator
- Laggard
- Sluggish
- Behind the Times
- Remiss
- Lethargic
- Truant
- Slowpoke
1. Tardy
This word is used to describe someone who’s late in a polite way, often in academic or work contexts.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Late Again for the Meeting
Hi Darcy,
I noticed you were tardy for the meeting today. We’ve missed out on some key discussions, and it’s becoming a bit of a pattern. Let me know if you need any support with scheduling so this doesn’t happen again.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Tardy” is neutral and commonly used in professional environments where punctuality is expected but not always followed.
2. Chronically Late
This phrase indicates that someone is late consistently, without fail, regardless of the occasion.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Constant Lateness
Hey Darcy,
It seems like you’re chronically late for our morning calls. I get that mornings can be tough, but this is starting to impact our workflow. Let’s chat about how we can manage this better.
Cheers,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This term emphasizes a habitual issue and can be applied in both casual and professional settings.
3. Unpunctual
Someone who is unpunctual is regularly late and fails to stick to the agreed time.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Unpunctual Arrival at the Workshop
Hi Darcy,
I noticed you were unpunctual arriving at the workshop. This has happened several times now. Please try to arrive at least 10 minutes early to avoid missing any important introductions.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Unpunctual” is slightly more formal and focuses on time management. It works well in business or formal environments.
4. Latecomer
A latecomer is someone who consistently shows up after everyone else. This term is neutral and factual.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Latecomer to Today’s Event
Hi Darcy,
I saw that you were a latecomer to today’s seminar. We had already started, and you missed part of the introduction. It’d be great if you could aim to arrive a bit earlier next time.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Latecomer” doesn’t carry much judgment. It simply states that the person has arrived late without putting too much emotional weight on it.
5. Behind Schedule
When someone is behind schedule, they’re late relative to a set timeline or deadline.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Falling Behind Schedule
Hey Darcy,
You’ve been a little behind schedule with the recent project milestones. Let’s work together to figure out a more manageable pace so we can stay on track.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This phrase is often used in professional contexts to refer to deadlines and progress. It doesn’t necessarily imply someone is physically late.
6. Delayed
A delayed person is someone whose lateness is typically caused by an external factor like traffic or technical issues.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Delayed Arrival
Hi Darcy,
I understand you were delayed due to the traffic this morning. Let’s plan to leave a bit earlier next time to ensure we’re on time for important meetings.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Delayed” usually implies that circumstances outside of a person’s control caused their lateness. It’s less judgmental than other terms.
7. Habitually Late
Someone who is habitually late is consistently late, making it a regular occurrence.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Habitually Late for Appointments
Hi Darcy,
I’ve noticed that you’ve been habitually late for our meetings. This is starting to impact our progress, and I’d like to find a solution. Can we talk about it?
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This term highlights that lateness is part of the person’s routine behavior. It’s not just a one-time thing.
8. Time-Challenged
A playful term, time-challenged is used to describe someone who struggles to manage their time.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Time-Challenged?
Hey Darcy,
Looks like you were a bit time-challenged today! I know life gets busy, but let’s try to meet a little earlier next time to stay on track.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Time-challenged” is an informal, non-judgmental way to point out that someone has difficulty with time management.
9. Lagging
When someone is lagging, they are slow to keep up, whether physically or in terms of deadlines.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Lagging Behind
Hi Darcy,
I noticed that you were lagging behind on the report submission. Let’s set aside some time to discuss how we can stay on top of things.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Lagging” is more about falling behind in progress rather than being late to an event. It’s great for workplace settings.
10. Procrastinator
A procrastinator delays doing things, often leading to late actions or decisions.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Procrastinating on Deadlines
Hi Darcy,
It seems like you’ve been a bit of a procrastinator with these reports. Let’s work on creating a plan to help you stay ahead of deadlines.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
A procrastinator delays things until the last minute, which often leads to lateness, but not necessarily being late to a physical event.
11. Laggard
A laggard is someone who is slow or late in following through on something.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Becoming a Laggard
Hey Darcy,
You’ve been a bit of a laggard lately in submitting your timesheets. Let’s work on getting those in earlier so payroll isn’t delayed.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Laggard” has a slightly negative connotation, often implying laziness or reluctance to meet deadlines.
12. Sluggish
If someone is sluggish, they’re slow and lethargic in their movements or decisions, often leading to being late.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Feeling Sluggish Lately?
Hi Darcy,
It seems like you’ve been a little sluggish in meeting your deadlines. Is everything okay? Let me know if you need any support or help.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This word can apply to both physical slowness and a general lack of energy or motivation.
13. Behind the Times
This phrase can refer to someone who’s late in understanding or adapting to new developments, though it’s also used for physical lateness.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Falling Behind the Times?
Hey Darcy,
I noticed that you’ve been a bit behind the times with recent industry trends. Let’s set aside some time to catch up so we can stay competitive.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This phrase works well when referring to someone’s lateness in understanding new trends, though it can be used for physical lateness as well.
14. Remiss
To be remiss is to be negligent or careless, which often leads to being late or behind schedule.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Don’t Be Remiss
Hi Darcy,
I’m concerned that you’ve been a bit remiss in following up on key tasks. Let’s have a quick meeting to ensure we’re on track.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Remiss” often implies a sense of responsibility that has been neglected, leading to lateness or delays.
15. Lethargic
A lethargic person is slow due to a lack of energy, which often results in being late.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Feeling Lethargic?
Hi Darcy,
You seemed a bit lethargic during today’s meeting. I just wanted to check in and see if everything’s okay. Let me know if you need to reschedule for a more convenient time.
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
“Lethargic” applies to someone who seems physically or mentally slow, often leading to lateness or a lack of productivity.
16. Truant
A truant is someone who is absent or late without permission, often used in school settings.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Don’t Be a Truant
Hi Darcy,
I noticed you’ve been a bit of a truant with attending the weekly team calls. Can we discuss any challenges you might be facing that are causing these delays?
Best,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This term is more commonly used for school-related absences but can apply to someone who is consistently late or absent from work.
17. Slowpoke
A playful term, a slowpoke is someone who moves or acts slowly.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Slowpoke Today?
Hi Darcy,
I see you’ve been a bit of a slowpoke this morning. Let’s pick up the pace a bit to make sure we finish everything before the deadline.
Cheers,
Elizabeth
Expert Addition:
This term is more lighthearted and can be used when you don’t want to be too harsh about someone’s lateness.
