Pronunciation: [bɪlˈe͡ɪtɪd] (IPA) 
Belated is a word commonly used to express regret or apology for being late or delayed. It is pronounced as /bɪˈleɪtɪd/ with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of belated includes the prefix "be-" which means "late, tardy". The root word "late" is followed by the suffix "-ed" which indicates past tense. The IPA phonetic transcription clarifies why the word is spelled the way it is and helps to accurately pronounce it.
Belated is an adjective that describes something that is done or arrives later than expected, appropriate, or customary. It refers to a delay in an action or event that should have occurred earlier but has happened at a later time.
Typically used to describe wishes or greetings, if someone offers their congratulations, birthday wishes, or condolences after the occasion has passed, these are considered belated. It implies that the act is tardy or overdue, lacking the punctuality one would normally expect. For instance, sending a belated thank-you note indicates that the note of appreciation was written or sent later than it should have been.
In a broader sense, belated can also be applied to events or actions that occur subsequent to an anticipated or appropriate time. This could include a belated response, apology, or acknowledgement for a previous incident, showing that it has been prompted by a delay or afterthought. Moreover, belated can be used metaphorically to convey a sense of coming too late in general, unrelated to a specific time frame.
Overall, belated suggests a tardy or delayed action, suggesting that it is not prompt or timely. It implies a sense of regret for not having acted or arrived on time, and acknowledges that something overdue has taken place.
Too late; benighted.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "belated" comes from the Old English term "belætan", which was a combination of the prefix "be-" (indicating causation or completion) and the verb "lætan" (meaning to let or allow). In its original sense, "belated" meant "delayed" or "overdue". Over time, the meaning shifted to refer specifically to something that is late or tardy, particularly in relation to sending greetings or wishes.
