Spanish Conversation · Level 29
89 words
Spanish word
dilatar
Pronunciation
IPA/dilaˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbdelay
Example
No dilates la decisión; mejor decide hoy.
Don't delay the decision; decide today instead.
More examples
¿Por qué dilatar la respuesta si ya la sabes?
Why delay the reply if you already know it?
Core concept
A timeline stretched outward.
Common phrases
dilatar la respuesta
delay the reply
dilatar la entrega
delay the delivery
Similar words
retrasar: Moves a scheduled time or deadline later, changing when something is due.
posponer: Moves an appointment or plan to another date or time.
aplazar: Postpones a decision or scheduled item to a later day instead of deciding now.
retardar: Slows the progress or action of something, resulting in its later execution.
Definition in Spanish
Retrasar algo para que ocurra en un momento posterior o demorarse en tomar una decisión.
Word origin
From Latin dilatare (dis- + latus 'wide'), originally 'to spread or widen', it comes to be used metaphorically to widen time and so mean 'delay'.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech Spanish speakers usually use aplazar or posponer, while dilatar sounds more formal or legal and often appears in writing.