Pronunciation: [tˈɑːdi] (IPA) 
The word "tardy" is spelled with a "t" followed by an "a" and then a "r". The "a" in this word is pronounced as a short "a" sound, represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /æ/. The "r" is pronounced with a slight roll sound, represented as /r/. The word "tardy" is commonly used to describe someone who is late or slow to arrive. It is important to spell this word correctly in order to effectively communicate this meaning.
Tardy, as an adjective, refers to being late or delayed in performance, arrival, or completion of an action, task, or event. It implies a lack of punctuality and a failure to meet the expected or desired time frame. Tardy can also be used to describe someone who habitually arrives late, often characterized by a pattern of delaying or procrastinating tasks or appointments.
In addition to its adjective form, tardy can also function as a noun, referring to a person who is consistently or habitually late. It can also be used as an adverb, modifying a verb to indicate that something is being done or happening later than expected or desired.
The term has often been used in educational contexts, particularly in reference to students who arrive late to school or classes. Being tardy in this sense can result in disciplinary action or penalties, as it disrupts the smooth functioning of the learning environment.
Overall, tardy conveys the notion of failing to adhere to schedules, expectations, or deadlines, and suggests a lack of promptness or timeliness. It underscores the importance of being timely and punctual in various aspects of life, from personal appointments to professional obligations.
Slow in motion; sluggish; backward; reluctant; late.
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 tardy originated from the Old French word tardif, which means slow or late. It further traces back to the Latin word tardus, meaning sluggish or slow.
