overdue
Later than it should be.
overdue in a sentence
- The library book was three weeks overdue, so Dad had to pay a small fine.
- The train was twenty minutes overdue, and the platform filled with grumbling passengers.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to overdue?
- Atimely
- Bearly
- Clate
Show the answer
C: late. The other three mean the opposite of overdue.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to overdue?
- Adelayed
- Bearly
- Cbehind
- Dlate
Show the answer
B: early. The other three mean nearly the same as overdue.
Words that mean something similar
late, delayed, behind
Words that mean the opposite
early, timely
More words about time & change
- perish: To die, or to be destroyed or ruined.
- potential: Possible in the future, though not happening yet.
- predicament: A tricky situation that is hard to get out of.
- prevail: To win in the end or to be the strongest.
- previous: Coming before the one you are talking about.
- primitive: Very simple and from an early time, without modern comforts.
- procrastinate: To keep putting off something you should do now.
- prolong: To make something last longer.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test